For crop production, we are witnessing significant change. Multiplication was done by small local seed companies. Livestock production was very similar with the purebred industry, the genetic manipulation part, in many hands. At the other end of the chain, retailing, things were dispersed with mom and pop stores and small grocery chains. Making genetic code patentable has started a whole new industry.
Biotech companies continue to emerge and consolidate as technology progresses and the rules change.
DuPont, Monsanto and Novartis seem to be the genetic powerhouses right now. Utilizing electronic data control systems is radically changing merchandising. The scale, efficiencies and dominance of Unilever, Kroger, Albertson and Wal-Mart are only possible by using electronic data systems. Predicting the future is impossible but there are two lines of thinking. The European model would make Unilever or Wal-Mart the dominant player in all of them.