Agribusiness industries are facing numerous challenges and opportunities resulting from various fundamental forces. This theme appearing in Choices is the first in a two part series of articles discussing these forces creating change in the agribusiness industries, and how companies and decision-makers are being affected by, and adapting to, changes in these forces.

The plant input supply industry is composed of many diverse segments and companies that supply farmers with seed, nutrients, pesticides, machinery, capital, labor, and many other inputs. We explore the impact of the major forces driving change using examples from different segments and companies of the industry.

Major crop production businesses face significant change today, including increasing and diverse global demand, new technologies, resource limitations and heightened societal expectations. Porter's Five Forces analysis can be used to examine these economic conditions, opportunities, and threats. Crop production businesses are adapting to this changing competitive landscape.

A five forces analysis of the plant and plant product processors and handlers sector of the food economy is discussed. In addition, four drivers of change impacting this sector are described. Retail supermarkets and restaurants are increasingly influencing this sector and the drivers of change are leading to greater coordination.

Current trends in the retail food value chain are analyzed. Supermarkets face increased competition from supercenters and private-label sales are growing. Point-of-sale data is increasingly driving operations. And, with the deep recession and slow recovery, more consumers are focused on value. Home cooking increased and dining out declined.