The paper examines how Transaction Cost Economics can shed light on a series of institutional and organizational questions in the agri-food sector through an examination of three questions. Why have economies in transition grown at different rates, and why have some been more successful at transition to a market economy than others? Why do different modes of supply chain governance emerge in agri-food supply chains? Why do public and private standards for food safety and quality co-exist? The contribution of a transaction cost lens to each of these questions is examined, drawing upon insights from the literature. Empirical challenges and opportunities are discussed. Acknowledgement :