Abstract: By applying game theory, a three-tier agricultural supply chain composed of farmers, cooperatives and social enterprises is established, to analyze the impact of different levels of horizontal competition on the supply chain, as well as the pro-poor nature of cooperatives. The results show that the level of horizontal competition between cooperatives and social enterprises at different tiers has impacts on the optimal decision-making of all members in the supply chain and the total profit of members at all tiers; and that horizontal competition can better reflect the pro-poor nature of cooperatives. In addition, the influence of cooperative exclusive and sharing of supply farmers on the supply chain is analyzed. It is found that cooperatives exclusive supply farmers will inhibit the level of horizontal competition among cooperatives. Finally, a supply chain that is most beneficial to farmers is established-one consisting of appropriate number of farmers, multiple cooperatives and multiple social enterprises, and cooperatives sharing all farmers.

Key words: agricultural product supply chain, horizontal competition, shared, exclusive, supply chain structure