The Food Industry

The food industry is involved with the processing, preparation, preservation and distribution of food and beverages. Agri-food companies, which mostly supply agriculture with inputs, are also included in the food industry in this context. A number of structures and market conditions are special in the food industry, which demands a focus on this industry: The food markets and the food companies are subject to unique terms and conditions which differ from the conditions elsewhere. The structural development of food companies and the food industry is described in different ways, including size of companies, consolidation, concentration, globalization, specialization, M&As and their overall goals. In the agri-food industry, a long-term and clear trend toward increasing concentration, consolidation and globalization can be observed. FDI but also reshoring is increasing. The stakeholder and shareholder approach seems to develop in waves.