AgMRC-Developed Materials

• Agricultural Biotechnology and Trade: The Unresolved Issues, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), Iowa State University, 2003 - The United States and the European Union remain on a collision course when it comes to agricultural trade because of the enduring and growing problems associated with the regulation of genetically modified (GM) products.
• The Evolving Global Marketplace for Fruits and Vegetables, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California and the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Davis, 2003 - Looks at the fruit and vegetable growth, particularly the fresh produce sales and the implications that has globally.
• The Expanding U.S. Market for Fresh Produce, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), Iowa State University, 2004 - Examines why U.S. produce consumption is increasing.
• Export Opportunities (pdf), Iowa State University, 2003 - Normally, smaller-scaled plants are at a cost disadvantage compared to larger plants in terms of exporting product. This paper looks at opportunities for exports of pork and beef from small-scale facilities.
• Geographical Indications, Property Rights and Value-added Agriculture, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), Iowa State University, 2003 - What do Vidalia onions, Wisconsin cheese, and Kona coffee have that feta cheese, champagne, and cognac do not? The first three products have trademark protection for their brand names (in this case, through U.S. trademark law). The latter three have no brand name protection, but that could change.
• Global Retailers Enhance the Effects of Food Industry Globalization: Get Ready!, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California and the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Davis, 2003 - Presentation on global retailers, trends, consolidation and their role in the food industry.
• Meat Traceability in Japan, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), Iowa State University, 2003 - A series of food safety crises, the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the domestic cattle herd, and a series of labeling scandals in Japan have shaken the trust of Japanese consumers in the safety of their food supply. The Japanese government has responded by implementing a series of new regulations and creating the new Food Safety Commission.

Other Information

• Agricultural Export Transportation Handbook, Shipper and Exporter Assistance, Ag Marketing Service, USDA, 1997.
• Agra-Net, Serving the global agrifood industry.

• China’s Rising Fruit and Vegetable Exports Challenge U.S. Industries, Economic Research Service, USDA,  February 2006 - China’s fresh vegetable sales to Japan and other Asian markets compete directly with U.S. products.

• Commercialization of Food Consumption in Rural China, Economic Research Service, USDA, July 2005 - This study indicates that reliance on self-produced food has fallen since the mid-1990s as rural households purchase an increasing share of their food.
• Disease-Related Trade Restrictions Shaped Animal Product Markets in 2004 and Stamp Imprints on 2005 Forecasts, Economic Research Service, USDA, August 2005 - Disease outbreaks and related trade restrictions that affected U.S. animal product markets and exports in 2003 continued to constrain markets in 2004.
• International Meat Review, Ag Marketing Service, USDA - This biweekly newsletter contains trade highlights and country production statistics.
• Market Integration of the North American Animal Products Complex, Economic Research Service, USDA, April 2005 - Sanitary barriers, designed to protect people and animals from diseases, are some of the most significant barriers to integration of the North American meat and animal markets.
• New Directions in Global Food Markets, Economic Research Service, USDA, February 2005 - Consumer preferences are driving changes in global food supply chains, including growth in private label sales and expansion of multinational retailers and manufacturers in developing countries.
• Organic Products, Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA - This Web site offers a bi-monthly newsletter and information on the international marketing of organic products.
• Structure of the Global Markets for Meat, Economic Research Service, USDA, 2003 - This study reviews the determining factors related to meat trade.
• U.S. Agricultural Trade, Economic Research Service, USDA.

Links to Other Sites

• International Meat and Livestock Industry Links, Midwest Agribusiness Trade Research and Information Center - This site provides links about international meat and livestock trade.

• MHR International Meat Directory - Links to companies throughout the world in all meat categories.  

Links checked March 2008.