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Local products and regional marketing Experiences from the Netherlands. René de Bruin Dutch foundation for local products (SPN). Background. General developments in the Netherlands Emphasis on agricultural modernisation Orientation on export of agrarian products
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Local products and regional marketingExperiences from the Netherlands René de Bruin Dutch foundation for local products (SPN)
Background • General developments in the Netherlands • Emphasis on agricultural modernisation • Orientation on export of agrarian products • Concentration of food production • A lack of ´eating culture´ • Only 7 products with a European Quality label (PDO/PDI/TSG)
Recent developments • Local initiatives aiming at sustainble regional development • Bottom up, driven by farmer groups and small scale industry • Alternative development patterns in agriculture and food • Need for new skills, professionalisation of businesses and institutional arrangements • Need for a new policy on agriculture and rural development
Market opportunities • Growing awareness amongst consumers, restaurant, catering companies etc about quality products • Slow food movement • Growing interest in the ‘rural’, appreciation of nature and landscape • Demografic changes, ageing population
A healthy future? • Research initiated by Leader+ Network • SPN was partner in the research • Looking at strengths and weaknesses of local initiatives • Goal: tips for local initiatives and tips for policy makers
Local products and regional marketing • Two different development patterns • 1. chain development around local products and product ranges • 2. regional marketing, promotion of typical regional characteristics (products, landscape, tourism, art, culture etc)
With national and international fame (PDO / PDI / TSG) Local products and specialities of regional importance Artisan products, local organic produce, fresh produce, direct marketing channels. Local products
Chain concepts • Present organization of food production and retail hinders the development of local products • Need for typical products with: • unique characteristics • high quality, differ in taste • ‘natural’ relation between product and region • Need for strong entrepreneurship, market concepts, (re-) invention of tradion • Need for operational quality schemes
Regional marketing • Regional concepts based on regional identities • Integrated approach (local products, tourism, nature and landscape, art, culture local cuisine etc) • Looking for unique selling points of the region • Public-private coalitions
Approach of regional marketing • Fase 1: internal branding • Defining shared values • Defining Unique selling proposition • Quality standards • Conditions for participation • Roles and responsabilities • Fase 2: external branding, consumer oriented • Promising brand or slogan, appealing to the consumer
(Possible) effects • Social cohesion • Stimulates business development, not only in agriculture (SME’s) • Synergy between sectors (i.e. agriculture and tourism) • Facilitates rural-urban coalitions Justifies a joint effort of both regional authorities and business communities
Some conclusions • Breeding ground for innovation and regional development • Local products and regional marketing have different u.s.p.´s and need different frameworks for development • Synergy is possible • Regional marketing requires public-private coalitions; regional authorities can take a leading role • European quality labels have no added value for producers • Certification schemes are needed, but with low costs for small scale initiatives
Ambition of SPN • Local: regional brands for food products and touristic services • National: quality scheme for local products (origin) • European: co-operation with fellow organisations and initiatives
Questions • What is the added value of EU Quality labels on regional products? • Is regionale marketing the most valuable strategy for regions without a strong tradition of quality products? • Should regional labels or brands be authorized by the EU at the same level as Quality Labels? • Does a regional label has to be also a quality label?