Agriculture of USA. 1980es

Almost 21mln. people or about 17 % of all population works in the agriculture of USA. Nearly 3 millions independent farms deliver feed products to the American consumers. The area of an average farm in the USA makes about 400 acres. In 1984 there were more than 2.3 million farms in the country. However, the very large farms -those with 1000 acres and more account for more than 40% of farm acreage. The largest manufacturers of grains making up 2,3% of total of farms, produce about 50 % of wheat in the country.

Similarly, the largest 2 % of the manufacturers of chickens - broilers own 70 % of market sales.

Number of firms producing selected products in the USA. 1980es.
Product Numbers of firms producing
this product
Wheat 446075
Corn 937704
Rice 11445
Soy-bean 511229
Tobacco 179141
Pea-nuts 23046
Dairy products 197269
Cattle 1354309

There is therefore some concentrations of agricultural production in hands of the largest manufacturers in the USA. But even largest agricultural manufacturers accept the established prices for production. For example, 2 % of the manufacturers of grain, that make up 50 % of grain production in the USA, are represented by 27000 independent firms. The new firms can also penetrate into the majority of agricultural branches with relative ease. There are special branches - exceptions. For example, there have been state regulation that have limited for many years the number of tobacco producers. However, even domestic manufacturer, who are protected against entry must compete for sales to the foreign manufacturers in the export markets.