E-Commerce in the Agribusiness Sector: Present Situation and Future Trends

Abstract

This article deals with the evolution and prospects of “new information technology”, otherwise known as e-Commerce, in the agribusiness sector. The initial stage of the e-Commerce age in agriculture is briefly examined by pointing out the late advances in the food retailing chain. Subsequently, it focuses on the way in which farmers run their farm business by employing the Internet and taking advantage of e-tools. For all the opportunities that e-commerce offers, farmers need to be aware of possible barriers and in this sense, an attempt is made to determine both e-Commerce opportunities and barriers. An overview of how e-Commerce is embraced by the agribusiness sector is presented through some statistical data from several countries such as: the United States of America, Canada, the European Union and Australia. At the end of the article, emphasis is placed on the potential role of e-Commerce in the agribusiness sector.