Résumé
Our study aims to propose and test an original conceptual frame to analyse the governance of circular economy (CE) transitions in the agri-food sector. It is based on three main dimensions (ideal, material and institutional) and was tested in the context of Reunion Island, where resources are scarce and the interdependence between uses very strong. Our field research was carried out in 3 steps: stakeholders' mapping, individual interviews and collective thematic workshops. From May to July 2023, we carried out 44 interviews of stakeholders from agri-food sector (farmers, cooperatives, public agencies, etc). The content was analysed in view of the 3 above mentioned dimensions. To confirm, correct and complete our analysis, we organized a full-day workshop with 25 stakeholders. Analysis revealed that there is no shared frame about the CE. Rethink, Reduce, Reconvert and Reuse were in descending order the most cited R principles. We identified 40 initiatives classified in 3 CE strategies: replacing imported material by local material sourcing or more renewable material, replacing imported food by increasing the consumption of local products, promoting organic matter recycling and recovery. Our study also shows that even if agri-food sector stakeholders' do not directly link institutional measures to a specific support to CE strategies, public agencies, policies and territorial authorities play an important role on the governance of the CE transitions. They provide funds for the projects, work for coordination between actors and promote CE transitions trough individual or collective CE strategies. Finally, the stakeholders state that the concept of CE is vague and not adapted to the agri-food sector. Moreover, they criticized the lack of adapted references of directives to the local context and call for the construction of a shared frame to define and develop CE transitions in the agri-food sector.