Richard Volpe
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Economist
202-694-5395
Email:
rvolpe@ers.usda.gov
Briefly:Richard (Ricky) Volpe is a research economist in the Food
Markets Branch of the Food Economics Division. His research focuses
on the food retail sector, particularly the economic behavior and
performance of supermarkets and other store formats. Additionally,
Ricky provides monthly retail food price forecasts based on CPI
data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and updates the Food CPI
and Expenditures Briefing Room.
Background:Ricky joined ERS in August 2010 after completing his Ph.D. in
Agricultural Economics at the University of California, Davis. His
dissertation, entitled "Price and Promotional Patterns at Major
U.S. Supermarkets" provided the foundation for his current research
program at ERS. He also holds an M.S. in Resource Economics from
the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he co-authored a
journal article on the price effects of Wal-Mart
Supercenters.
Education:Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, University of California,
Davis, 2010. M.S. in Resource Economics, University of
Massachusetts, Amherst, 2005. B.S. in Mathematics and Economics,
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2003.
Professional Affiliations:Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, Western
Agricultural Economics Association
Selected Publications:Volpe, R., R. Green, D. Heien, and R. Howitt. "Estimating the
Supply Elasticity of California Wine Grapes Using Regional Systems
of Equations,"
Journal of Wine Economics5(2):219-35, 2011.
Volpe, R., R. Green, D. Heien, and R. Howitt. "California Wine
Grape Growing Regions Developing Distinct Identities,"
California Agriculture64(1):42-46, 2009.
Volpe, R. and N. Lavoie. "The Effect of Wal-Mart Supercenters on
Grocery Prices in New England," Review of Agricultural
Economics 30(1):4-26, 2008.