The olive oil commodity chain (OOCC) is very complex and has several kinds of agent with different positions and roles. Four main phases – agricultural production, olive milling, oil refining and commercial distribution – can be identified. The positions and drivenness levels associated with them are very heterogeneous. Given the way that the OOCC is currently organized, refinery companies and large retailers are the agents with the highest drivenness levels. At the same time, there are persistent disputes among the different agents in the various phases, between not only refineries and large retailers but also milling cooperatives. In this context, refineries and cooperatives have made several attempts at industrial upgrading. Quality conventions are basic elements in the daily working of the OOCC. Different quality conventions are promoted by various kinds of agent. This article analyses not only the different phases of the OOCC but also its associated conventions. The first two phases can be analysed only in specific case studies. For this reason, localized olive oil production systems, based on different quality conventions, will be analysed in two case studies: Beas (Huelva) and Arjona–Porcuna (Jaén). Each of these towns has very different agro-ecosystems and uses different agricultural handling systems and olive-milling techniques.

Dried orange pulp (DOP) can be incorporated into ruminant diets, but no reports have considered this strategy during the entire lactation period in goats. Two experiments were performed using lactating Payoya goats. In experiment 1, to study the effect, over 180 days, of DOP on milk yield and composition, blood metabolites and economic values, 44 primiparous goats were allocated into three groups: control diet (concentrate plus lucerne) and DOP40 and DOP80 diets, in which DOP replaced 40% and 80%, respectively, of the cereals. Nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation were also studied (experiment 2). The DOP diets did not affect milk yield and composition. DOP triggered lower intake and digestibility of ether extract and crude protein. Ruminal fermentation was unaffected by DOP, except for a decrease in butyrate for DOP80. The energy balance was unaltered by diet while the balance and retention of nitrogen decreased. Regarding plasma biochemistry, DOP supplementation caused changes that could indicate an improvement in hepatic function and reduced muscular damage and oxidative muscular stress. Moreover, DOP80 provided a profit increase of EUR 3.27/goat. In conclusion, the partial replacement of cereals by DOP is a profitable and healthy nutritional strategy in dairy goats and is suitable for the entire lactation period without compromising productivity.

En este trabajo se analizan los factores que han desencadenado la progresiva desestructuración de los hábitos alimentarios y los nuevos imperativos socioculturales que están dañando seriamente el bienestar de los consumidores en España. Se muestra cómo se ha producido un descenso del consumo de los alimentos considerados esenciales para una buena alimentación y un aumento de los que perjudican la salud. Así, el consumo de cereales, arroz, legumbres y vino ha descendido de forma muy significativa, mientras que el consumo de carne, leche y sus derivados, y aceites ha crecido de forma notable. Además, se han modificado y diversificado las maneras de comer al adaptarse a las nuevas limitaciones impuestas por las transformaciones producidas en una sociedad cada vez más industrializada. Al final se presenta una serie de conclusiones y recomendaciones para lograr tener hábitos alimenticios saludables.This study analyzes the factors that have triggered a gradual deterioration of eating habits and the new social and cultural imperatives that have seriously undermined the well-being of Spanish consumers. It shows that consumption of basic food products to ensure good nutrition has declined, while consumption of unhealthy food products has increased. The consumption of cereals, rice, legumes and wine has significantly declined; meat, milk, dairy products and fat consumption has substantially increased. Moreover, eating habits have changed and diversified, adapting to new constraints imposed by an increasingly industrialized society. Conclusions and recommendations for acquiring healthy eating habits are presented at the end of the paper

En esta investigación se analizan las transformaciones más destacadas del trabajo familiar con base en los resultados obtenidos con entrevistas semiestructuradas a los agricultores de cuatro pueblos representativos del cultivo del olivar en Andalucía. El trabajo muestra cómo los procesos de reestructuración económica que ha seguido este cultivo han provocado que el trabajo del cabeza de familia resulte fundamental en la aportación del trabajo familiar a la explotación, y que los restantes miembros de la familia busquen otras ocupaciones fuera de la explotación. Además, se estudia cómo muchos pequeños agricultores sobreviven con los ingresos obtenidos en otras actividades y con la ayuda de los demás miembros de la familia. A todo ello se añaden algunas notas de cómo estos procesos también han afectado a América Latina, y en especial, a México.

Spain’s olive oil production is world-leading. A significant portion of Spain’s olive oil production is in Andalusia, a southern region. In the Estepa region, a local agri-food system based on olive monoculture is emerging. Furthermore, producers are implementing strategies for differential quality and environmental sustainability to increase the competitiveness of their products. One of the main challenges facing the agricultural sector is generational change. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the results of the actions implemented to enhance the organization, sustainability, quality of production, and prices. The aim is to contrast, through a case study, the qualitative aspects that have enabled them to improve their product price through a competitiveness strategy based on quality improvement, which required synergistic actions in terms of productive structuring and sustainability. To this end, this study conducted structured interviews with key stakeholders in the PDO and consulted the National Reference Price Index at Origin. The results show that the pricing system based on olive oil quality has resulted in producers obtaining a differential income of €200/t in the market. However, it has been unable to halt the structural rural exodus and the progressive abandonment of productive agricultural activities. The study offers recommendations for rural development policymakers. Research into new models of production and organization for rural areas that offer social and environmental sustainability is vital, as these models have great relevance for political decision-making.