Niche markets and regional speciality food products in Europe: towards a research agenda

Set within the context of recent rural restructuring in developed market ec onomies, the authors examine the potential of niche markets for speciality food products (SFPs) to contribute towards rural development in peripheral (lagging) regions. Drawing on elements of regulation theory, actor-network approaches, and consumption studies, niche markets for SFPs are conceptuali sed as the outcomes of the intersecting activities of networks of producers , consumers, and institutions. On the basis of this conceptualisation and p reliminary empirical evidence from a European research project, it is sugge sted that unique configurations of networks at local and regional levels, a nd their relationships to extralocal networks, will contribute to the succe ss or failure of regional SFPs in promoting endogenous development. It is a lso argued that a focus on particular products, markets, and regions is req uired to gain a holistic understanding of the complex and contested network relationships through which niche markets for SFPs are constructed.