Transición logística de enclaves agroexportadores: estándares de calidad y nuevas relaciones de valor (Murcia, España)

Abstract

In analyses of the global agri-food chain, logistics and transport often take a back seat. However, the logistics channel plays a central role in a context where large retailers dominate logistics activities within their supply chains. This article examines how the commercial rationality of large retailers influences the restructuring of logistics activities in agro-export enclaves. The objective is twofold: to study the governance of the logistics sector in the Region of Murcia by supermarkets and the role played by quality standards in this process. The results show that the control of export logistics by European distribution chains has favoured the evolution of long-distance transport in the Region of Murcia towards standardised techno-intensive logistics that go beyond the traditional function of goods distribution. This transition allows supermarkets to extract more value and reinforces processes of corporate concentration and subordination within the logistics sector. The study takes a qualitative approach to the issue, based on in-depth interviews with Murcian logistics and transport companies that provide their services to European supermarket chains.