A Study of the Traceability System with application to Some Egyptian Agricultural Exports to the European Union

Abstract

The importance of this study comes from some technical sanctions on exporting to the European Union. Therefore this research aims to measure the effect of some factors that are expected to influence the traceability system in companies that produce and export to the European Union. The logistic regression model was used for the field-study data gathered through 60 questionnaires obtained from a random sample of companies and farms that produce and export to the EU such crops as potatoes ,oranges and grapes in order to find out the extent to which they apply the traceability system and the factors affecting it, the factors affecting the traceability system are company characteristics, management performance, agreements and market competition .Some of the research results are that increases in project size, higher managerial efficiency for the project and ownership type could all improve adherence to the traceability system. In addition increases in food security awareness, improvements in consumer conditions and more frequent surprise inspections could reflect positively on application. The traceability system is influenced by preferential government policy, pressure by competing, expectations of improved competitiveness, economic returns and preservation of market share. The study recommends: expanding the spectrum of companies that apply the traceability system and giving them technical, logistic ,managerial and financial support. Further research be carried out to evaluate the economic effects of the traceability system and experiences of other countries should be consider. keep up with the developments and prerequisites demanded by external markets which enhance the ability of exporting companies to compete in the external markets.