摘要：This paper examines how the Brazilian food industry hasbeen heavily affected by several recent institutional and economic changes.The food industry, including the processing and retail sectors, is part ofa broader agribusiness system that conditions corporations' strategies,performance, and adoption of adequate governance structures. TheBrazilian agroindustrialization process that preceded the formation ofthe sub-regional free-trade area (Mercosur) and economic liberalizationin.uenced subsequent development of the agribusiness and food systemin the Mercosur countries and their investment and trade links tocountries outside Mercosur. The article emphasizes business strategiesfor coping with challenges and opportunities that have arisen fromMercosur integration, from economic stabilization programs and, moreimportantly, from a broad range of institutional changes such as tradeliberalization, deregulation, and the friendlier treatment of foreigncapital. These changes have together fostered the globalization processin the region and have stimulated different responses from large andsmall firms, all threatened by the new, competitive environment.
