Source: USDA/ERS submitted to NRP
US FOOD MARKETING SYSTEM
Sponsoring Institution
Economic Research Service/USDA
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
USDA INHOUSE
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0406260
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Nov 30, 2000
Project End Date
Dec 31, 2001
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
USDA/ERS
1800 M STREET NW
WASHINGTON,DC 20036
Performing Department
ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE
Non Technical Summary
Merger and acquisition activity continues to result in increased concentration. Buyer-seller relationships are changing throughout the food supply chain as stages become increasingly interdependent. The food marketing system continues to embrace new technology that improves the flow of information and assists with scheduling and inventory.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
5015010301030%
5025010310070%
Knowledge Area
501 - New and Improved Food Processing Technologies; 502 - New and Improved Food Products;

Subject Of Investigation
5010 - Food;

Field Of Science
3010 - Economics; 3100 - Management;
Goals / Objectives
This project focuses on the structure and performance of the food marketing system, which includes processing, distribution, foodservice, and retailing stages. Emphasis is placed on factors that affect performance of the food system, including arrangements that facilitate coordination between stages. In addition, detailed structure and performance data are provided for each stage, including concentration, number of firms, profits, new product introductions, major players, and important developments. Information from a variety of sources is organized in a systematic fashion to provide customers with a comprehensive view of the food marketing system.
Project Methods
This project uses a variety of methodologies to describe and analyze developments in the U.S. food marketing system. These include methods from economics, strateic management, and the industrial organization literature.

Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08

Outputs
Stores that did not sell much food in the past have increased their share of food sales, leading to competitive responses by traditional food stores. Advances in communication technology and increasingly diverse consumer preferences have led to more customized marketing strategies. Food companies are touting their socially responsible behavior as a means to further differentiate themselves. These results were summarized in an Amber Waves feature article.

Impacts
Work acknowledged by Agricultural Marketing Service and largest food processing firm in Canada.

Publications


    Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04

    Outputs
    An Amber Waves findings piece was published that reports on competitive forces altering the food marketing landscape. This was based on the "U.S. Food Marketing System, 2002"- AER-811. Food companies are using a variety of strategies to compete in a slowly growing domestic food market, including new ways of conducting business, mergers and acquisitions, overseas expansion, and state-of-the-art technology. Work was initiated on a "Food Marketing System Landscape" report that provides a snapshot of key developments in the U.S. food marketing system.

    Impacts
    An overview of the US food marketing system was provided. Key developments included mergers and acquisitions, application of new technologies,and changing relationships between sectors of the food system.

    Publications

    • Martinez, S., 2003, "Competition Alters the U.S. Food Marketing Landscape", Amber Waves, Vol. 1, Issue 5, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, November, pp.


    Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03

    Outputs
    An overview of the US food marketing system was provided. Key developments included mergers and acquisitions, application of new technologies,and changing relationships between sectors of the food system. An Amber Waves article was published highlighting competitive forces in the food industry. A report highlighting recent important developments in the food marketing system is currently underway.

    Impacts
    An overview of the US food marketing system was provided. Key developments included mergers and acquisitions, application of new technologies,and changing relationships between sectors of the food system.

    Publications

    • Martinez, S., 2003, "Competition Alters the U.S. Food Marketing Landscape", Amber Waves, Vol. 1, Issue 5, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, November, pp.