PRZEMIANY W ŁAŃCUCHU ŻYWNOŚCIOWYM A PROBLEM WYKLUCZENIA MAŁYCH GOSPODARSTW ROLNYCH Z RYNKU: CO NAM PODPOWIADA TEORIA EKONOMII?

The last two decades were characterized by very dynamic changes occurring in the food chain in Poland as well as in other countries. It is often assumed that these changes may adversely affect the situation of small-scale farmers and lead to undesirable social effects. There are many examples from developing countries that support this point of view. However, experiences of transition countries may lead also to other conclusions. The paper aims to present the main arguments derived from economic theory, which can be helpful in analysing marginalization of small-scale farms. It also encourages to empirically verify a number of interesting hypotheses that could be formulated based on economic arguments.