** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** AN INCREASING RATE OF MERGERS IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY HAVE SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS FOR MARKET STRUCTURE (CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF FIRMS), CONDUCT (PRICES AND OUTPUTS), AND PERFORMANCE (WELFARE) BY IMPACTING OTHER COMPETING FIRMS (PARTICULARLY FOR SMALLER FIRMS), NUMBER OF AVAILABLE PRODUCTS, ECONOMIC GAINS FOR CONSUMERS, INPUTS SECTORS, AND NATIONAL WELFARE. FEWER FIRMS RESULTING FROM MERGERS CAN ALSO EXERT BARGAINING POWER IN BUYING PRIMARY COMMODITIES AND CAN LOWER THE PRICES RECEIVED BY FARMERS. THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES INCLUDE:1. ESTIMATE THE EFFECTS OF MERGERS ON MARKET STRUCTURE AND CONCENTRATION IN THE FOOD-PRODUCT INDUSTRY,2. ANALYZE THE IMPLICATIONS OF MARKET CONCENTRATIONS RESULTING FROM MERGERS ON MARKET CONDUCT AND PERFORMANCE (PRICES, OUTPUT, CONSUMPTION, AND WELFARE),3. EVALUATE THE IMPACTS OF OLIGOPSONY POWER ARISING FROM MERGERS ON PRIMARY COMMODITIES,4. ASCERTAIN THE PASS-THROUGH EFFECT OF LOWER PRICE PAID BY OLIGOPSONY FIRMS TO CONSUMER PRICES,5. EXAMINE THE EFFECTS OF MERGER AND CONCENTRATION ON MARKET PERFORMANCE (NATIONAL WELFARE) DUE TO SHUT DOWN AND FOOD RECALLS,6. STUDY THE LINK BETWEEN CONCENTRATION IN THE U.S. FOOD INDUSTRIES AND TRADE,7. ASSESS THE IMPLICATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL MERGERS IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY FOR TRADE AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT.