Corporate concentration

[grassfarmer]

A new study out by the department of Sociology, Univ. of Missouri shows the level of corporate concentration to be reaching dangerously high levels. They calculate a "CR4" percentage which is equal to the market share of the top four firms in that sector. Until recently economists widely recognised that a CR4 level above 40% signalled insufficient competition and excessive market power. Remember this is the situation in the US which the open border'rs are looking to for salvation. Some highlights:

Beef Packers CR4 = 83.5%
Pork Packers CR4 = 64%
Pork production CR4 = 49%
Broiler chickens CR4 = 56%
Flour milling CR4 = 63%
Soya bean crushing CR3 = 71%
Food retailing CR4 = 46%

[cowman]

That is the way of the world in just about every business? There is a solution however?
If these corporations are going to basically take over everything then get in on the bandwagon! Most of these corporations are publicly traded stocks and you to can get in on the gravy train! However I would suggest you buy energy, banking, or high tech stocks as the food sector corporations don't perform as well as those others?

[grassfarmer]

This is a solution? be part of the problem instead of part of the solution more like!
Anyway energy is far to dear too buy into just now, hi- tech stocks are a bit of a joke, banking is secure as you say but don't kid yourself some of the food companies are very good earners!

[cakadu]

Grassfarmer, what is even more alarming than the statistics you have posted for us, is the fact that the distribution of our food etc., is being controlled by fewer and fewer players. That is and should be of greater concern to all of us.

[FarmRanger]

Perhaps what need is some type of effective anti-combines legislation, where you aren't allowed to get too big, and if you do, you must sell off part of your business. Monopolies are not in the best interests of anyone except the owners of the monopoly. In order to do this though, we need politicians with integrity, who are looking out for the interests of the people they govern, and not in the lining of their own pockets, or catering to rhetoric in order to further their own political careers. Unfortunately, these types of people are sorely lacking in our modern democracies (and nonexistent in any other types of government).

*Stepping down off my soapbox now*

[oxbow]

concentration is an ebb and flow deal. Usually, concentration increases dramatically to a point, shortly before economic realignment (recession).