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Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

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Tenured full professors | Agrofood economics/management/marketing

Christian Fischer

Christian.Fischer@unibz.it

+39 0471 017170

BZ K2.10
Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences
Universitätsplatz 5 - piazza Università, 5
39100
Bozen-Bolzano
Links

Curriculum Vitae

Personal Website

All publications

Short bio

Doctorate in agricultural economics from the University of Giessen (Germany). Master's degree in agribusiness management from EM Lyon Business School and ENSA.M Grande Ecole, Montpellier (France). Graduate certificate in international economics at the University of Adelaide (Australia). University diploma in food economics at the University of Giessen.

Work in the private sector (including the Boston Consulting Group) and public research institutions (including the University of Bonn, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand). Consultant for various international organisations (including OSCE). "Lead Scientist" and co-coordinator in an EU-funded research project (FP6).

Courses

Agricultural Economics and Policy

40191A · AGR/01 · Bachelor in Agricultural, Food and Mountain Environmental Sciences · DE

Economic development, sustainable tourism and regional products

47057A · AGR/01 · Master in Environmental Management of Mountain Areas · EN

Food value chain management

44703 · AGR/01 · Master in Food Sciences for Innovation and Authenticity · EN

Supply/Value chain and innovation management

44525C · AGR/01 · International Master in Horticulture Science · EN

The food supply system today and tomorrow Part I: fundamentals

89117 · AGR/01 · Studium Generale · DE

Main Research Areas

Current research, teaching and consulting in the field of agricultural/horticultural and food supply and value chains, sustainable food systems and food policy, resource economics, agricultural/horticultural marketing and rural development or local agricultural/horicultural development.

Info

Since 2023 vice dean for study programmes.

Since 2021 section editor-in-chief of the global scientific journal Horticulturae (Section: Horticultural Economics, Policy, Business Management and Marketing).

Since 2019 co-speaker of the South Tyrolean Food Policy Council.

From 2016 to 2018 chairman of the "Förderverein Eggentaler Qualitätsprodukte", an association of about 15 South Tyrolean farmers.

Since 2014 study course director of the Bachelor's programme "Agricultural, Food and Mountain Environmental Sciences".
 

Selected publications

Grillini, G., Streifeneder, T., Stotten, R., Schermer, M., Fischer, C. (2025): How tourists change farms: the impact of agritourism on organic farming adoption and local community interaction in the Tyrol-Trentino mountain region. Journal of Rural Studies, Vol. 114, No. 103531. DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2024.103531
Piccoli, A., Widmann, A. & Fischer, C. (2024): 10 Jahre FAO-Studie: Rückblick auf die wichtigsten Entwicklungen im Südtiroler Obstbau 2014–2024. Report prepared for the Apple Consortium South Tyrol (Südtiroler Apfelkonsortium). 56 pages. https://www.apfelwelt.it/smartedit/documents/content/sub/_published/apfel_studie_10jahrefao_24_3.pdf
Fischer, C. (2024): Nahrungsversorgungssysteme heute und morgen. Teil 1: Grundlagen, Strukturen und Funktionen. Wiesbaden, Springer Nature. 140 pages. ISBN: 978-3-658-44708-3, 978-3-658-44709-0 (eBook). DOI: 10.1007/978-3-658-44709-0
Grillini, G., Sacchi, G., Streifeneder, T., Fischer, C. (2024): Comparative Analysis of Alpine Agritourism in Trentino, Tyrol, and South Tyrol: Regional Variations and Prospects. Open Agriculture, Vol. 9, No. 1, 20220281. DOI: 10.1515/opag-2022-0281
Meyer, N., Sacchi, G., Sartori, C., Fischer, C. (2024): Establishing Alternative Grain Networks: a comparison of case experiences in South Tyrol, Italy and Colorado, United States. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development. Vol. 13, No. 3, 337–361. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2024.133.029
Fischer, C. (2023): Ensuring satisfaction in rural youth soccer: The consequences of age-unbalanced teams, and suggested remedies. International Sports Studies, Vol. 45, No. 1, 59–73.
Grillini, G., Sacchi, G., Streifeneder, T., Fischer, C. (2023): Differences in sustainability outcomes between agritourism and non-agritourism farms based on robust empirical evidence from the Tyrol/Trentino mountain region. Journal of Rural Studies, Vol. 104, No. 103152. 13 pages. DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2023.103152
Fischer, C., Raffeiner, S. (eds) (2023): Besser Essen in den Bergen – Handbuch für eine nachhaltige alpine Ernährung. ISBN: 978-88-6839-709-8; 978-88-6839-710-4 (eBook). 192 pages. Bozen, Athesia Buch GmbH.
Fischer, C., Raffeiner, S. (2023): Einleitung. In: Fischer, C., Raiffeiner, S. (eds) (2023): Besser Essen in den Bergen – Handbuch für eine nachhaltige alpine Ernährung. ISBN: 978-88-6839-709-8; 978-88-6839-710-4 (eBook). S. 8–9. Bozen, Athesia Buch GmbH.
Fischer, C. (2023): Nachhaltige Nahrungsproduktion für 10 Milliarden Menschen. In: Fischer, C., Raiffeiner, S. (eds) (2023): Besser Essen in den Bergen – Handbuch für eine nachhaltige alpine Ernährung. ISBN: 978-88-6839-709-8; 978-88-6839-710-4 (eBook). S. 22–29. Bozen, Athesia Buch GmbH.
Fischer, C. (2023): Wie starte ich eine Nahversorgungsinitiative. In: Fischer, C., Raiffeiner, S. (eds) (2023): Besser Essen in den Bergen – Handbuch für eine nachhaltige alpine Ernährung. ISBN: 978-88-6839-709-8; 978-88-6839-710-4 (eBook). S. 59–61. Bozen, Athesia Buch GmbH.
Fischer, C., Tappeiner, C. (2023). The apple processing cooperative VOG Products as a role model for minimizing post-harvest crop losses – an empirical case study from South Tyrol, Italy. ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1380. Pages 145–152.
Shahzad M.A., Fischer C. (2022): The decline of part-time farming in Europe: an empirical analysis of trends and determinants based on Eurostat panel data. Applied Economics. Vol. 54, No. 42, 4812–4824.
Oliveira Linder, M., Sidali, K., Fischer, C., Gauly, M., Busch, G. (2022): Assessing Italians’ Preferences for Mountain Beef Production Using a Best–Worst Scaling Approach. Mountain Research and Development. Vol. 42, No. 3, R8-R15. DOI: 10.1659/MRD-JOUR
Oliveira Linder, M., Sidali, K., Fischer, C., Bossi Fedrigotti, V., Begalli, D., Busch, G. (2022): Assessing preferences for mountain wine and viticulture by using a best-worst scaling approach: do mountains really matter for Italians? Wine Economics and Policy. Vol. 11, No. 1, 15–29. DOI: 10.36253/wep-10342
Miglietta, P.P., Fischer, C., De Leo, F. (2022): Virtual water flows and economic water productivity of Italian fair-trade: the case of bananas, cocoa and coffee. British Food Journal. Vol. 124, No 11, 4009–4023.
Grillini, G., Sacchi, G., Chase, L., Van Zyl, C.C., Van Der Merwe, P., Streifeneder, T., Fischer, C. (2022): Qualitative Assessment of Agritourism Development Support Schemes in Italy, the USA and South Africa. Sustainability, Vol. 14, No. 13: 7903.
Fischer, C. (2022): Ein klimafreundlicheres Ernährungssystem für Südtirol. Potenziale und Herausforderungen für die regionale Nahrungsversorgung. In: Benedikter, T. (Hrsg.) Klimaland Südtirol? Regionale Wege zum konsequenten Klimaschutz. arcaedizioni Lavis, ISBN 978-88-88203-88-1. S. 43–53. https://www.politis.it/157d631.html
Raffeiner, S., Fischer, C. (2022): Der Südtiroler Ernährungsrat. Contraste: Zeitung für Selbstorganisation. Juni 2022. S. 11.
Fischer, C. (2022): The global evolution of diet sustainability during the last 50 years. Webcast. Leadwire.com
Fischer, C. (2022): Klima und Ernährungssystem. Teil 1 – Grundlagen und Bestandsaufnahme. Podcast. Radio Uni. Rai Südtirol.
Fischer, C. (2022): Klima und Ernährungssystem. Teil 2 – Das Südtiroler Nahrungsversorgungssystem und Wege zu einer klimafreundlicheren Nahrungsversorgung und Ernährung. Podcast. Radio Uni. Rai Südtirol.
Shahzad, M.A., Ahmed, V., Fischer, C (2021): Status and determinants of other gainful activities by farmers in mountainous rural regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Journal of Mountain Science. Vol. 18, No. 10, 2520–2539.
Shahzad, M.A., Abubakr, S., Fischer, C. (2021): Factors Affecting Farm Succession and Occupational Choices of Nominated Farm Successors in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Agriculture, Vol. 11, No. 12: 1203.
Fischer, C. (2021): Essen für alle. ff - Das Südtiroler Wochenmagazin. Vol 29, 22 July 2021. Page 37.
Bossi Fedrigotti, V., Fischer, C. (2021): Warum der Pro-Kopf-Verbrauch von Äpfeln weitläufig fällt. Obstbau & Weinbau. No 1/2021, 19–22.
Fischer, C., Bossi Fedrigotti, V. (2021): Warum der Pro-Kopf-Verbrauch von Äpfeln weitläufig fällt. Mitteilungen des Obstbauversuchsringes des Alten Landes e.V. am ESTEBURG Obstbauzentrum Jork. No 76 (08), pp 321–323.
Bossi Fedrigotti, V., Fischer, C. (2021): Warum werden weltweit weniger Äpfel gegessen? FOOD-Lab. No 2 (June), pp 18–20.
Fischer, C. (2021): Nahrungsversorgung und Ernährung 2021: Ein Über- und Ausblick. SKOLAST – Magazin der Südtiroler HochschülerInnenschaft. Online.
Spitaler, F., Fischer, C. (2021): Wahrheit liegt im (Qualitäts-)Wein. Südtiroler Landwirt. No 14, August, pp 26–27
Fischer C. (2021): Developments in the consumption of alternative proteins. Sustainability Web Festival 2021. Unibz Bolzano. 13 May 2021.
Bossi Fedrigotti, V., Fischer, C. (2020): Why Per Capita Apple Consumption Is Falling: Insights from the Literature and Case Evidence from South Tyrol. Horticulturae. Vol. 6, No. 4, 79 (22 pages).
Bossi Fedrigotti, V., Fischer, C. (2020): Welche Landwirtschaft hätten Sie gern? Wahrnehmung, Wünsche und Zahlungsbereitschaft der Südtiroler Bevölkerung. Austrian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Studies. Vol. 29, No. 17. 8 pages.
Fischer, C., Bossi Fedrigotti, V. (2020): Wertschätzung bäuerlicher Betriebe in der Südtiroler Bevölkerung: Komponentenanalyse mittels Strukturgleichungsmodellen. Austrian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Studies. Vol. 29, No. 23. 9 pages.
Bossi Fedrigotti, V., Troiano, S., Fischer, C., Marangon, F. (2020): Public seasonal preferences for farmed landscapes: The case of traditional chestnut orchards in South Tyrol. European Countryside. Vol. 12, No. 1, 99–118.
Zanotelli, D., Vettori, M., Paolazzi, M., Cosner, A., Fischer, C. (2020): Terraced viticulture of the Cembra Valley in Italy: Towards the inclusion of sustainable landscape management in quality-oriented development actions. Pirineos – A Journal on Mountain Ecology. Vol. 175, No. e053. 10 pages.
Fischer, C., Miglietta P. P. (2020): The links between human diets and health and climate outcomes in the world’s macro-regions during the last 50 years. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Vol. 17, No. 4, 1219.
Fischer, C., Bossi Fedrigotti, V. (2020): ‘An Apple A Day’… Is Going Away. What Can We Do to Stop the Decline in Per Capita Apple Consumption? American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research. Vol. 10, No. 3, 226–227.
Fischer, C. (2020): Warum wir Malthus 2.0 vermeiden und uns eingestehen sollten, dass Ernährungspessimismus letztendlich nirgendwohin führt. FOOD-Lab. No. 2 (May), pp 50-51.
Bundschuh, D., Fischer C. (2020): Bio Lebensmittel in Südtirol -- Marktstudie 2018/19. PDF for download.
Forcher, D., Fischer, C. (2020): Marktanalyse der Südtiroler Apfelsaftbranche. Südtiroler Landwirt. No 4, March, pp 69–70.
Fischer, C. (2019): Agriculture and tourism sector linkages: Global relevance and local evidence for the case of South Tyrol. Open Agriculture. Vol 4, No 1, 544–553.
Fischer, C. (2019): Avoiding Malthus 2.0: Why Food Pessimism Leads Nowhere. American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research. Vol 6, No 1, 64–65.
C. Fischer (2019): Podcast Rai Bozen: RadioUni. Wissen zum Hören. Teil 1: Ernährungssicherheit und Nahrungsbedarf – Hat die Welt im Jahr 2050 genug zu essen? 19 January 2019. http://www.raibz.rai.it/feed.php?id=83
C. Fischer (2019): Podcast Rai Bozen: RadioUni. Wissen zum Hören. Teil 2: Ernährung der Zukunft – Linsen statt Lende? 26 January 2019.
C. Fischer (2019): Podcast Rai Bozen: RadioUni. Wissen zum Hören. Teil 3: Neue Formen der Nahrungsmittelproduktion – Von der blauen Schürze zum weißen Kittel. 3 February 2019.
Fischer, C. (2019): Möglichkeiten der Produktdifferenzierung zur Steigerung der Wertschöpfung bei Trinkmilch. FOOD-Lab. No 3 (September), pp 12–17.
Bossi Fedrigotti, V., Fischer, C. (2019): Wertschätzung bäuerlicher Betriebe. Südtiroler Landwirt. No 21, pp 51–53.
Fischer, C., Raffeiner, S., Gritsch, B., Köhne, A., Gschnell, V., Hofer, M., Hofer, E., Breitenberger, V., Laimer, U., Ladurner, G., Eydner, S., Seiwald, V., Prugger, E. & Grandi, H. (2019): Strengthening an Alpine-Mediterranean Food System in the Mountains of South Tyrol. Urban Agriculture. No 36, p 45.
Fischer, C. (2019): Möglichkeiten der Produktdifferenzierung – Steigerung der Wertschöpfung bei Trinkmilch. molkerei-industrie. No 12, pp 21–23.
Busch, G., Fischer, C. (2018): Consumer patriotism in public farm animal welfare perceptions in South Tyrol: a segmentation study. Austrian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Studies. Vol 27.13, 95–101.
Bossi Fedrigotti, V. & Fischer, C. (2018): Ein Apfel am Tag? Obstbau & Weinbau. No 3/2018, 9–13.
Kühl, S., Fischer, C. & Rossmanith, J. (2018): Wirtschaftlichkeit geprüft. Südtiroler Landwirt. No 6, March, p 22.
Mitterer, M. & Fischer, C. (2018): Der Klimawandel im Vinschgau. Südtiroler Landwirt. No 8, April, pp 64–65.
Mojo, D., Fischer, C., Degefa, T. (2017): The Development of Agricultural Cooperatives in Ethiopia: History and a Framework for Future Trajectory. Ethiopian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (EJOSSAH). Vol 50, 84–94.
Mojo, D., Fischer, C., Degefa, T. (2017): The determinants and economic impacts of membership in coffee farmer cooperatives: recent evidence from rural Ethiopia. Journal of Rural Studies. Vol 50, 84–94.

Relevant Links

Bachelorstudiengang „Agrar-, Lebensmittel- und Bergumweltwissenschaften“
Südtiroler Ernährungsrat (Food Policy Council South Tyrol)
Section "Horticultural Economics, Policy, Business Management and Marketing" of global journal "Horticulturae"