Synthetics and Agricultural Substitutes in Food and Nonfood Markets

Excerpts from the report: Synthetic products and agricultural substitutes are challenging agricultural products in their traditional markets. The fiber, feed, sugar, drying oil, dairy, soap, and animal product markets are faced with increased competition. Synthetic products are derived from nonagricultural materials. These products include urea, saccharin, cyclamates, poromerics, and acrylic fibers. Agricultural substitutes are made, partially or wholly, from one or several agricultural raw materials, and like most synthetics, simulate performance of traditional products. Examples of substitutes include filled milk and bacon-flavored vegetable protein resembling real bacon. Several other changes can be anticipated if synthetics and substitutes capture a substantial share of all markets supplied by traditional agricultural products. Examples of such changes are accelerated obsolescence of agricultural processing plants, shifts in plant location, changes in interregional competition, and shifts in agricultural production input requirements. However, only selected markets have been eroded by synthetics and substitutes. Agricultural producers, processors, and marketers have partially adjusted to the new market environment.