Countering corporate and financial concentration in the global food system

Abstract

Corporate concentration and dominance within food systems has reached unprecedented levels especially following recent mergers in the sector. The consequences of consolidation in the agri-food sector are wide ranging, including food price volatility, profiteering, unsustainable production, unhealth food options and poor working conditions. These effects have occurred because the dominant firms have amassed significant power to shape markets, the material aspects of food systems and policy and governance processes. The end result is fragility within food systems that can undermine the goals of sustainability, equity and justice. As such, the food systems transformation agenda must address corporate concentration.