Dominant agri-food firms have become too big to feed humanity sustainably, too big to operate on equitable terms with other players in the food system, and too big to drive the types of innovation we need, according to a new report.
This was the damning verdict of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food), sounding the alarm on an unprecedented wave of mega-mergers sweeping through food systems.
Alarming examples of market concentration include:
- In the animal genetics industry, three companies supply over 90% of breeding stock for broilers, layer hens, turkeys and pigs.
- Five companies account for more than half of the farm machinery market, and are moving towards ownership of Big Data and artificial intelligence.
- Record deals are being struck in the food-processing sector (Heinz and Kraft Foods - $55 billion), beverages (AB InBev and SABMiller - $120 billion) and retail (Amazon and Whole Foods – $13.7 billion).
Read the full report here.
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Published Friday 13 October 2017
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
