The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the role of the multinational corporation in achieving economic efficiency and equity in international agricultural trade and development. In evaluating this institution, I prefer broad and rather imprecise definitions: cluster of corporations of diverse nationality joined together by ties of common ownership and responsive to a common management strategy (Vernon, p. 114) or all enterprises which control assets-factories, mines, sales offices and the like in two or more countries (United Nations, p. 158). These institutions may be privately, publicly, cooperatively, or governmentally owned and have their principal headquarters in either a developed or a developing country. The strength of each entity depends on its ability to provide market access, raw material procurement, appropriate technology, management, financial packages, risk management, logistics, and coordination to a global food system in an efficient and profitable manner that is responsive to the economic, social, and political priorities of the governments of the nations in which it operates. The strategies of multinational entities are affected more by individual governmental actions than by any other factor.