NAFTA at 11: the growing integration of North American agriculture
Steven Zahniser, editor
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Electronic Outlook Report from the Economic Research Service

ABSTRACT

In the 11 years since implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the agricultural sectors of Canada, Mexico, and the United States have become much more integrated. Agricultural trade among
the NAFTA countries has grown dramatically, and Canadian and Mexican industries that rely on U.S. agricultural inputs have expanded. U.S. feedstuffs have facilitated a marked increase in Mexican meat production and consumption, and the importance of Canadian and Mexican produce to U.S. fruit and vegetable consumption is also growing. The farm policies of the three countries exhibit some similarities. Foreign direct investment in the
Mexican processed food sector has increased, and sales by Canadian, Mexican, and U.S. multinational food companies throughout the NAFTA region have risen, giving consumers access to a wider variety of products.
Integration of North America’s dairy, poultry, and sugar and sweetener sectors, however, is lagging.

Complete report in PDF format: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/WRS0502/wrs0502.pdf