ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the control that the American agribusiness sector has, and its expansion over the production agriculture sector in the United States and over the globe. It argues that the US agribusiness sector will lead the development of that global market by playing a central role in directing: US farm and ranch production output, international commodity markets, global food industries, and technology and market development. The general objective of the analysis in this chapter is to contribute to understanding of the relationship between industry structure and production contracting. The tendency to converge in terms of management tactics employed has become an important characteristic of American agribusiness firms. The chapter presents a picture that is bright for the American agribusiness sector but bleak for the agricultural production sector. It argues that blending American agriculture and agribusiness may be essential for success in future but, if accomplished, the resulting agrifood industry will play the leading role in the global market.
