The accumulation process and agrofood networks in Latin America

Within the context of the evolution of world markets and new models of trade openness, several agrofood product lines in MERCOSUR countries have shown strong dynamism in recent decades, becoming focal points (axes) of accumulation and economic growth. The expansion of production and the higher levels of competitiveness achieved have been based on the organization of these product lines in networks or complexes; on the adoption of technology packages from abroad with minimal local adaptation, as part of the globalization of new paradigms; on the emergence or consolidation of groups of big firms in the main stages of these networks, and on clearly defined forms of insertion in external markets. This article argues that the transnationalization of relevant segments and markets of these complexes affects the possibilities of local or regional development, in particular, the generation of locally dense and diversified production networks with equitable distribution of rents, income and profits. Reprinted by permission of United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean