Differences in the economic costs of implementing conventional practices and good practices intended for aflatoxin management in the dried fig supply chain

Abstract

Economic incentives to control aflatoxin can be complicated. This study focuses on the differences in the economic costs of implementing conventional and good practices intended for aflatoxin management in the dried fig supply chain. While a direct accountancy method was engaged in the analysis, the cost units were calculated from the data that the Fig Research Institute (FRI), Aydin Provincial Agricultural Directorate (APAD), and Aegean Exporters Association (AEA) had for the farmers, middlemen, and processors/enterprises in the food supply chain, considering the average over the previous 5-year period (2005−2009). It was calculated that the difference in the economic costs of implementing conventional and good practices intended for aflatoxin management in the dried fig supply chain was $1.14 for per kg of dried figs in total. The total differentiation consisted of $0.51 kg⁻¹ at the producer stage, $0.22 kg⁻¹ at the middleman step, and $0.41 kg⁻¹ at the processor phase.

Keywords::

• Aflatoxin management
• dried fig
• economic cost
• good agricultural practices