More than 15 years after their first successful commercial introduction in the United States, genetically engineered (GE) seeds have been widely adopted by U.S. corn, soybean, and cotton farmers. Still, some questions persist regarding the potential benefits and risks of GE crops. The report finds that, although the pace of research and develop-ment (measured by the number of USDA-approved field tests) peaked in 2002, other measures show that biotech firms continue to develop new GE seed varieties at a rapid pace. Also, U.S. farmers continue to adopt GE seeds at a robust rate, and seed...

Recent volatility in agricultural commodity prices and projections of world population growth raise concerns about the ability of global agricultural production to meet future demand. This report explores the potential for future agricultural production to 2050, using a model-based analysis that incorporates the key drivers of agricultural production, along with the responses of producers and consumers to changes to those drivers. Model results show that for a percentage change in population, global production and consumption of major field crops respond at nearly the same rate. In response...

Japan's agriculture has been inward oriented, protected by trade barriers from foreign competition. Even though the share of Japan's food consumption provided by Japanese production has gradually fallen, Japan's farm sector remains the second-largest among the countries negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Japan's food industry is increasingly integrated with TPP economies, although the TPP share of Japan's agri-cultural imports has fallen over time. The proposed TPP agreement would lead to more agricultural exports to Japan from TPP partners, likely dominating the total...

Public risk management policies for dairy producers have the potential to induce expan-sion in milk supplies, which might lower farm-level prices and offset risk-reduction benefits. An evaluation of USDA's Livestock Gross Margin-Dairy (LGM-Dairy) insur-ance program finds economic downside risk significantly reduced, with potential to induce modest supply expansion (0 to 3 percent) if widely adopted. Supply impacts are likely limited due to relatively low participation levels and a minimal ("inelastic") supply response to risk. LGM-Dairy is more flexible and convenient than other risk...

Restaurant foods are typically higher in calories than meals consumed at home. Menu labeling regulations by the U.S. Food and Drug and Administration aim to inform consumers about the calorie content of menu items. However, some consumers may already be making at least partially informed decisions. For example, as a rule of thumb, a consumer may be aware that deep-fried foods are higher in calories. He or she may also know to avoid side dishes like French fries and onion rings. Indeed, it has been argued that some consumers can already iden-tify which foods best satisfy their needs and wants...

Accurate and detailed prices are a key component to analyze a variety of important questions related to consumer behavior. Given the importance of food-away-from-home (FAFH) consumption in a typical American's diet, the variation in nutritional value across different types of FAFH meals, and evidence that prices may vary substantially across areas, Economic Research Service researchers created a novel dataset that can be used to study how prices may affect food choices, intake, and health outcomes. The Quarterly Food-Away-from-Home Prices (QFAFHP) data contain quarterly average prices without...

In 1986, Vietnam embarked on a gradualist approach to market reform and steadily pursued trade agreements under a strategy of export-led growth. The country has since emerged as one of Asia's dynamic economies and a growing market for agri-food trade. The proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is Vietnam's next step toward increased economic integration. This report provides an overview of Vietnam's agri-food sector and an analysis of its trade with potential TPP partners. Examination of Vietnam's trade and tariff structure suggests modest agricul-tural trade growth potential from the...

Over the last decade, growing demand for agricultural commodities-for both food and fuel-has increased the incentives for farm operators to increase production. One way to expand production and potentially increase the return to farming is by intensifying the use of existing cropland. One form of intensification is double cropping-the harvest of two crops from the same field in a given year. From 1999 to 2012 double cropping occurred on about 2 percent of total cropland in most years. Soybeans were, on average, the most common crop found on double-cropped acres over this time period, and, in...

Cross-price elasticities are updated in this report, using the World Bank's 2005 International Comparison Program (ICP) data for 9 major consumption categories across 144 countries. The 2005 ICP offers the most recent consistent data set for such a large number of coun-tries. The consumption categories are: food, beverage and tobacco; clothing and footwear; gross rent, fuel, and power; house furnishings and operations; medical and health; transport and communications; recreation; education; and "other." Cross-price elasticities also are calculated and reported for a two-good demand system...

This report examines the extent to which year-to-year changes in the prevalence of U.S. house-hold food insecurity can be explained by changes in the national unemployment rate, inflation, and the price of food relative to other goods and services. Data are from the 2001-12 Current Population Survey Food Security Supplements and statistics on employment and prices from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Understanding the strength and consistency of these associations can broaden understanding of how national and household economic conditions affect food insecurity. As an example, the report...