Files
Abstract
In recent years, concern has arisen about the structure of the international grain
trade and its ability to operate in the interest of exporting or importing
countries (McCalla and Schmitz). Producers and consumers question whether
international market intermediaries' interests or strategies operate in a manner
consistent with producers' and consumers' interests.
Efforts to address these issues have emphasized policies where government
becomes more directly involved in trade. Examples include state trading,
marketing boards, and bilateral trade agreements. While recognizing such
alternatives, this paper addresses the potential for producers and consumers to
become more directly involved in the international grain trade through
cooperative organizations and thus to improve the performance of the international
grain marketing system. To accomplish this, it is necessary to review
the structure of international grain marketing.