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Clustering and the spatial distribution of organic farming in England and Wales

Maye, Damian; Ilbery, Brian

Authors

Damian Maye

Brian Ilbery



Abstract

Previous geographical research on organic farming suggests a process of aggregation at the regional scale and spatial clustering at the local level, the latter in response to a neighbourhood effect and different socio-cultural factors. However, little research has been conducted on the geographical distribution of organic farming in a UK context. Using both secondary and primary data, this paper examines geographical aspects of organic farming in England and Wales. At a regional scale, three major concentrations of organic production are found to the south and west of a line drawn between Bangor in north Wales and Brighton in south-east England (the Brighton-Bangor line). One of these concentrations occurs in the counties of East and West Sussex in south-east England. Yet, within these two counties the pattern of organic farming is quite random and there is little evidence of spatial clustering, a neighbourhood effect or the influence of socio-cultural factors. Instead, many of the farms have converted from conventional farming since 1990 and are driven by a strong economic imperative, which encourages the use of national as well as local outlets to both sell their produce and purchase necessary inputs. © 2010 The Authors. Area © 2010 Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers).

Citation

Maye, D., & Ilbery, B. (2011). Clustering and the spatial distribution of organic farming in England and Wales. Area, 43(1), 31-41. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4762.2010.00953.x

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Mar 1, 2011
Deposit Date Oct 26, 2011
Journal Area
Print ISSN 0004-0894
Electronic ISSN 1475-4762
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 43
Issue 1
Pages 31-41
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4762.2010.00953.x
Keywords organic farming, spatial clustering, location quotients, whole chain analysis, England, Wales, East Sussex, West Sussex
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/986857
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4762.2010.00953.x

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