Countries, both developing and developed, are using different public policies and private-sector initiatives to encourage export-enhancing changes in food production systems. Examples show how public policies in developing countries encourage private-sector production and processing systems to meet international standards for food safety and quality, while in developed countries, private-sector initiatives can increase the value of exports through product differentiation.

Competition from imported pork and the desire to export pork have influenced Mexican government policies and have resulted in improved pork quality and safety. At the same time, a two-tiered system is emerging that offers wealthier domestic consumers the opportunity to purchase pork produced under safer conditions and limits poorer consumers to pork produced with few food safety controls.

Companies are increasingly using meat certification systems to differentiate products and provide attributes consumers value. To enhance competitiveness in export markets, Uruguay is seeking international certification for its grassfed beef production system. The authors discuss Uruguay's beef traceability program, potential benefits of certifying the country's grassfed production system, and whether U.S. producers could benefit from similar certification systems.

China's bilateral trade in food and agricultural products has grown dramatically following entry into the WTO, but the country faces significant problems related to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) compliance. The authors summarize current SPS conditions, the food safety regulatory system, production environment, inspection technology, and information systems. This discussion includes China's progress on resolving SPS problems and adjusting to SPS measures in world markets.

The Spanish pork sector has undergone profound growth and transformation over the last 20 years as a result of innovations in technology and contractual arrangements; changes in demographics and tastes; concerns about health, nutrition, and the environment; and other market forces. The author explains these changes and considers the future of Spain's pork producers in light of increasingly stringent environmental and animal welfare regulations.

Marketing wine is information intensive. Reducing the costs of providing information can extend markets and provide richer, more intensive communication to customers. Changes in the composition of marketing costs may also affect the competitiveness of sales channels and make new channels economically viable. Based on an e-commerce survey of wineries in California, Australia, and Germany, the authors discuss differences in the diffusion of e-commerce among the wineries, lessons learned from the survey, and an outlook for winery e-commerce.