Evolving food and beverage landscapes: A multidisciplinary inquiry into technological innovation, policy, and industry structure

Abstract

The food and beverage industries are constantly evolving, with changes driven by shifting consumer preferences, technological advancements, economic policies, and a growing emphasis on sustainability. These changes create both challenges and opportunities for the industry, producer and consumer responses to which will define, among other things, the production landscape, business models, and the policy and regulatory agenda. This special issue assembles twelve studies with diverse methodologies to explore emerging issues in the food and beverage industries and inspire future research. The research topics cover environmental footprints and sustainability, trade and economic development, market structure and dynamics, small businesses and labor markets, commodity and specialty crops, and challenges and opportunities in food and beverage-related service sectors.