Farm supply and grain marketing businesses: A mixed methods investigation of past and intended future strategies

Abstract

Based on a media analysis and a manager survey, we investigate past and intended future strategies of farm supply and grain marketing businesses in Germany. Alliances, diversification and organic growth were among the most popular past strategies and, according to the participants, will be in the future. Nevertheless, the trend towards divestment and fewer locations for grain collection will continue. Large, investor-owned firms prefer a combination of capital-intensive strategies, cooperatives and small and medium-sized enterprises plan to adopt fewer strategies. We outline several potential implications and areas for further research.