The history of the emergence of agricultural clusters on the example of Western Europe

Mindlin Yury Borisovich

Clusters and the spatial concentration of economic development are topics that have come up more and more in recent discussions of social and economic history. This article aims to foster an interdisciplinary intersection of theories and ideas between economic geographers and historians and focuses on the development of several agribusiness industries (dairy, horticulture, olive oil and agricultural machinery) in Southwest and Northwest Europe over the past two centuries. These five case studies reveal and analyze the links and interdependencies between economic agents, knowledge institutions and government in the agri-food chain. This analysis leads to four main conclusions. First, not only natural conditions, but also other economic determinants, such as easy access to markets, played an important role in the formation of regional economic clusters. Social and cultural ties between individuals and organizations, which formed over time and were associated with geographic proximity, were also important. Second, governments, entrepreneurs and stakeholders, which are deeply rooted in the history of the region, have often collaborated and spurred cluster development through regulatory frameworks, educational and scientific policies. Third, not only consensus, but also disagreement and competition can contribute to the clustering of economic activity. Finally, understanding the importance of linkages between clusters and actors outside the region requires a multiscale perspective.

Keywords:agricultural clusters, agribusiness, farms, regional economy.