This study provides empirical evidence for the relation between perishability in vertically coordinated supply chains and the market power exercised over smallholders in Nepal. Using survey data from small-scale farms of tomatoes, ginger, high-yielding variety paddy seeds, and lentils, we demonstrate how varying levels of perishability affect the degree of market power exercised by contractors and in cooperative farming. We show how much value-added is diverted from farmers, compared to the benchmark set by the least perishable good. Results indicate that more perishable crops are subject to a greater degree of market power. A subsequent scenario analysis reveals that the redistributive effects of market power based on crop perishability are substantial: smallholders’ farm profitability increase by 18% as crop perishability is reduced by 50%. We conclude by discussing policy measures to reduce power imbalances due to crop perishability.

中文翻译：

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尼泊尔粮食作物生产的易腐性和市场力量

本研究为垂直协调的供应链中的易腐性与尼泊尔对小农户行使的市场力量之间的关系提供了经验证据。使用来自西红柿、生姜、高产品种水稻种子和小扁豆的小型农场的调查数据，我们展示了不同程度的易腐性如何影响承包商和合作农业中行使的市场权力程度。与不易腐烂商品设定的基准相比，我们展示了从农民那里转移了多少附加值。结果表明，更易腐烂的作物受制于更大程度的市场力量。随后的情景分析表明，基于作物易腐性的市场力量的再分配效应是巨大的：随着作物易腐性降低 50%，小农的农场盈利能力增加了 18%。