Overview

Food and beverage manufacturing plants transform raw agricultural materials into products for intermediate or final consumption by applying labor, machinery, energy, and scientific knowledge. Some products may serve as inputs for further processing (such as syrup for manufacturing soda). As firms and manufacturing plants strive to compete in a slowly growing domestic food industry, ERS monitors and presents key developments and trends across the U.S. food marketing system.

ERS examines:

the food processing and distribution sector, including the ability of the sector to meet changing consumer demands;
the size and location of processing plants, ownership, and employees;
how competition is reshaping the food chain as food firms seek new marketing opportunities, streamline operations and marketing channels, and respond to consumer preferences; and
the effect of government interventions to facilitate response to consumer preferences.

Vegetables and Pulses Outlook: December 2023 U.S. Agricultural Policy Review, 2022 The Changing Landscape of U.S. Strawberry and Blueberry Markets: Production, Trade, and Challenges from 2000 to 2020 Documentation for the USDA, Economic Research Service Annual U.S. Dairy Sector Econometric Model Concentration and Competition in U.S. Agribusiness

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Wholesale Beef Costs Rose as Cattle Prices Dropped During Supply-Chain Disruptions in 2020 Consumers’ Interpretation of Food Labels with Production Claims Can Influence Purchases Rural Counties Losing Share of Grocery Stores, Gaining Other Types of Food Retailers Local Food Sales Continue to Grow Through a Variety of Marketing Channels U.S. Food-Related Water Use Varies by Food Category, Supply Chain Stage, and Dietary Pattern

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Price Spreads from Farm to Consumer Food Dollar Series Fruit and Vegetable Prices Food Expenditure Series Food Environment Atlas

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Food Markets & Prices Retailing & Wholesaling Food Prices, Expenditures, and Establishments Food Service Industry Food Consumption & Demand

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