There is also opportunity for joint ventures involving U.S. capital, technology and management skills. The authors compare the results of surveys of Japanese and U.S. consumers in 1988 and 1993 to test whether consumption patterns are converging. They conclude that while each country borrows products from the other, the Japanese, in particular, continue to value many traditional foods. Therefore, identifying market niches in Japan, and producing for them continues to be an effective strategy for marketing food products in Japan. The authors found that price competition from Turkey, Syria, Iran, Nepal and Australia is intense.
Importers are interested in good quality U.S. supplies.
The availability and nature of Canadian transportation subsidies affect the volume of Canadian food and feed wheat which is competitive in the U.S. and the locations at which it is most likely to challenge U.S. supplies. Canadian Wheat Board pricing practices also influence trade flows. Other changes in the U.S. and Canada as they adapt to free trade appear to be providing benefits to Canadian exporters. However, the existing system may continue to change in ways that would have unintended consequences for the U.S. wheat industry. For example, the authors argue that the elimination of the Canadian Wheat Board's role as a monopoly seller could lead to an increase in the unfettered southward flow of Canadian grain.