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Agribusiness, Food and Consumer Economics Research Center

The Agribusiness, Food and Consumer Economics Research Center (AFCERC) partners with industry, government agencies and other organizations to provide timely, unique, and professional research on a wide variety of issues relating to agriculture, food, and the nation. For over 40 years, our goal has been to to provide you with high-quality, objective, and relevant research to support decision-making at all levels of the supply chain from producers to processors, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers.

An enhanced emphasis on consumer economics adds depth to our research on the behavioral and social aspects of health, nutrition, and food safety. Through our research endeavors, outreach programs, and industry collaboration, we have become a leading source of knowledge on how food reaches consumers efficiently and contributes to safe and healthy lives.

Contact AFCERC
AFCERC Experts
Research Outputs
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Our Mission

Through our research, we enhance the flow and quality of information along the farm-to-consumer market channel to improve decision-making and enhance the competitive position of our clients in national and global markets. Specific areas of research emphasis include:

  • Agricultural input and commodity markets
  • Agricultural, food, and fiber marketing and distribution
  • Supply chain management and analysis
  • Strategic management and planning
  • Pricing strategies and the price discovery process
  • Generic and branded advertising and promotion programs
  • Concentration and industrialization in agribusiness, food, and fiber industries
  • Globalization, international trade, and trade policy
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Consumer economics and behavior
  • Health and nutrition economics
  • Food safety economics
  • Food and fiber sector implications of environmental and resource issues

Current Research

Dairy Management, Inc.

Project Title: Quantitative Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Promotion Activities by the National Dairy Promotion and Research Program and the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Program

Principal Investigators: Dr. Oral Capps, Jr. and Dr. Victoria S. Salin

USDA Food and Nutrition Service

Project Title: Food for Progress Monitoring and Evaluation Sustainability

Investigator: Dr. Victoria S. Salin

American Pecan Council

Principal Investigator: Dr. Oral Capps, Jr., Dr. Gary W. Williams

Global Cold Chain Alliance

Principal Investigator: Dr. Victoria Salin 

Mexican Hass Avocado Import Association (MHAIA) and the Asociación de Productores y Empacadores Exportadores de Aguacate de México (APEAM)

Principal Investigators: Dr. Oral Capps, Jr. and Dr. Gary W. Williams

United Sorghum Board

Project Title: Producer Return on Investments in Sorghum Research, Promotion, and Information: An Updated Analysis

Principal Investigators: Dr. Oral Capps, Jr.

In the News

Congratulations are in order!

Dr. Victoria Salin was awarded the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Teaching.

Loren Burns, AFCERC Program Manager, was awarded the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Staff.

Dr. Oral Capps, Jr. was selected and recognized as an Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) Fellow.

New Publications

Oral Capps, Jr. and Lingxiao Wang, October 2024, “US Household Demand System Analysis for Dairy Milk Products and Plant-Based Milk Alternatives,” Journal of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Assocation

Oral Capps, Jr. and Rafael Bakhtavoryan, May 2024, “A Demand Systems Analysis for Cheese Varieties Using a Balanced Panel of US Designated Market Areas over the Period 2018 to 2020,” Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Oral Capps, Jr., Ruixin Jia, Vikas Mishra, and Macson Ogieriahki, May 2024, “A Micro-perspective Analysis of the Demand for Greek and Non-Greek Yogurt in the United States Over Calendar Years 2018 to 2020,” Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics

Oral Capps, Jr. and Long Gao, November 2023, “A Comparison of Demand System Models Peculiar to a Granular Array of Dairy Products,” Journal of Food Distribution Research

Nasibu Yusuph Mwinyiheri, Victoria Salin, Yu Yvette Zhang, Benxi Lin, and Chileshe Chewe, October 2023, “Multi-Level Marketing System with Industrial Food Processing in Africa: Smallholder Tomato Farms in Tanzania,” International Food and Agribusiness Management Review

Oral Capps, Jr., April 2023, “On the Robustness/Replication of Econometric Analyses from Nonlinear Models Using Various Commonplace Software Packages,” Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy

Oral Capps, Jr., M. Cheng, J. Kee, and S. Priestley, 2023, “A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Demand for Coffee in the United States,” Agribusiness: An International Journal

Avocado shortage spotlights need for bilateral supply chain

AFCERC experts discuss the recent ban on Mexican avocado importation into the U.S. In a recent report, we highlight the importance of a strong bilateral supply chain that promotes economic growth and prosperity for both countries.

Read more: Avocado shortage spotlights need for bilateral supply chain

Food availability depends on agricultural imports and exports

Economic activity related to the importation and exportation of agricultural products benefits consumers and helps stimulate both the Texas and U.S. economy, according to AFCERC experts.

Read more: Food availability depends on agricultural imports and exports

Connect with us

Agribusiness, Food and Consumer Economics Research Center
Department of Agricultural Economics
Texas A&M University
600 John Kimbrough Blvd. Suite 371
2124 TAMU
College Station, Texas 77843-2124
[email protected] | (979) 393-0925 or (979) 845-5911

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Interested in our work? Contact AFCERC.

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