Governance in the Italian Processed Tomato Value Chain: The Case for an Interbranch Organisation

Collective action among producers is a corrective measure for power imbalance, which affects primary in agro-food supply chains. As associations of and processors, Interbranch Organisations (IBOs) promote dialogue, best practice, market transparency. However, interbranch cooperation still less explored subject governance studies. Therefore, the present paper aims to analyse role IBO North Italy Processing Tomato (IBO NIPT) processed tomato value chain. The Tomatoes Northern was chosen as case study it one eight recognized IBOs country third biggest producer tomatoes processing worldwide. Semi-structured interviews with stakeholders involved chain were carried out reach this aim. Abridged transcripts analysed through thematic analysis by two or three researchers. has research steps: first, explore history NIPT; second, its current collective institution acting towards imbalances; third, IBO’s reference price streamlining. A multi-theoretical approach based on following theoretical frameworks used interviews: New Institutional Economics (NIE); Devaux’s framework action; Transaction Cost Economics. highlights local institutions bringing innovations food suggests that future be expanded beyond streamlining could benefit from retailers.