Competition, trade, and sustainability in agriculture and food markets in Africa.

This article examines the intersection of market concentration, competition policy, and climate change adaptation in global and African food and agriculture markets, with a focus on the animal feed-to-meat value chain and maize and soybean markets in East and Southern Africa (ESA). It highlights that food and agriculture contribute about one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, largely driven by meat and dairy production linked to animal feed inputs like maize and soybeans. The article documents high levels of corporate concentration and vertical integration among a few multinational firms (e.g., Cargill, JBS, Tyson) that dominate seed, agro-chemicals, commodity trading, and meat production, enabling both efficiencies and market power abuses such as price-fixing and exclusion of smaller producers. In ESA, despite the region's agricultural potential and growing demand, markets for maize and soybeans are fragmented and exhibit large price disparities and excessive trader margins, suggesting weak competition and coordination among dominant firms. The article argues for a reformed competition policy agenda that balances the need for coordination with preventing abuse of market power, emphasizing strengthened national and regional competition authorities, enhanced merger and cartel enforcement, market monitoring, and international cooperation to support sustainable, inclusive food systems and climate adaptation in developing countries.