Today, Farm Action released the most up-to-date and comprehensive concentration data across the food and agriculture sectors, demonstrating the market shares by top firms.
“Farm Action is excited to have compiled comprehensive concentration data for policymakers and the general public who, for the first time, can access this information in one place,” said Angela Huffman, president of Farm Action. “The data illustrate the indisputable control that a handful of corporations now have over food and agriculture markets.”
Farm Action’s upcoming Food and Agriculture Consolidation Data Hub will expose the corporate concentration of power that has led to just a few corporations controlling how Americans farm, work, and eat.
The data released today reveal a dire situation across the food system. Economists find that market abuses are likely to occur when the concentration ratio of the top four firms (CR4) exceeds 40%. Concentration levels surpass that percentage in almost every food and agriculture sector. For example:
- U.S. Corn Seed CR4: 80%
- North America Nitrogen Fertilizer CR4: 77%
- U.S. Agricultural Machinery CR4: 60.8%
Decades of market consolidation have eroded competition to such an extent that a single supply chain disruption threatens our entire food system. Corporate concentration of power has grown so vast that it makes every aspect of our nation’s food supply vulnerable, creating a national security threat.
“Farm Action has been encouraged by the Biden administration’s focus on rolling back monopolies’ market dominance,” continued Huffman. “We have witnessed vital reforms, including bringing integrity to the “Product of U.S.A.” meat label, strengthening the Packers and Stockyards Act, and issuing new merger guidelines. As we prepare to welcome a new incoming administration, we’re at the ready to provide them with the information necessary to address this unprecedented consolidation.”
Farm Action’s Food and Agriculture Consolidation Data Hub will continue to be rolled out in phases over the next two months, culminating with the release of an in-depth research report detailing the historical context by which we reached this level of consolidation.
Media Contact: Emma Nicolas, enicolas@farmaction.us, 202-450-0094
