Exploring the Role of the Farmer Entrepreneur in the Sheep Milk Production Value Chain in Thessaly, Greece: A Case Study of 24 Farms

The aim of this study was to identify the challenges and opportunities faced by farmers in the sheep milk value chain and their impact on business activities. Techno-economic data were collected from 24 sheep farms with different capacities, management systems, and market connectivity in the Thessaly region. The results of the study show that a series of factors influence the financial situation of the farms, arising from both internal (e.g., management, performance) and external (e.g., market prices, regulations) factors. Efficient farms can reduce production costs and increase profitability, while cooperative members generally enjoy a better position than independent farmers in terms of feed costs and milk production, strengthening their bargaining power. It should be noted that, given the exploratory sample size (n = 24), the between-group differences reported here should be interpreted as indicative trends rather than statistically confirmed findings. The results were analyzed through a full techno-economic analysis, calculating key indicators such as milk production costs, net profit and income of agricultural households. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impact of uncertainty in key input parameters (milk price, feed costs) on the net profit of each farm. Tailoring strategies to the specific characteristics of each farm can significantly enhance profitability. Further research is needed to capture the views of all actors in the value chain.