Markets

Trade in agricultural products is a key element in the world economy. The continuous population growth, increasing buying power in many developing and newly industrialized countries, and increasing urbanization and changes in consumer habits will lead to an even greater demand for agricultural products in the next 25 years. At the same time, the demand for agricultural products for the production of bioenergy is growing. This presents great challenges for the entire agricultural sector - starting with the farmers, through agricultural trade, and beyond to the food industry. International trade with agricultural products will benefit and grow from this demand growth, because it is up to the trade to implement the necessary balance between the surpluses in the exporting countries and the supply bottlenecks in many other countries of the world. Enormous opportunities, but also requirements, arise from this further internationalization and globalization of the agricultural markets. Of more importance will be the continuous maintenance of worldwide relationships to all market participants as well as direct access to the agricultural commodities produced by farmers throughout the world