The talk presents a panorama of surprising and rapid changes in the trader segment in domestic agrifood value chains in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This is a crucial component of transformation of value chains from traditional to transitional and early modern phases, as traders are major “change agents” in food systems. Many of the patterns observed in detailed trader surveys are at odds with conventional wisdom regarding the role of middlemen, vertical integration, outsourcing of agricultural services, etc. Observed patterns, their drivers, and emerging evidence on effects are discussed.

About the speaker: Tom Reardon is one of the most cited agricultural economists worldwide. He is a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University and Non-Resident Senior Research Fellow at IFPRI. Tom is Fellow of the AAEA and Honorary Life Member of the IAAE. He resided over 20 years in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and spent more than 40 years studying those regions.