i fa s the emerging agrifood system challenges and opportunities for smallholders lawrence busch institute food agricultural standards department of sociology michigan state university usa world trade shipped considerable distances in ancient times romans imported grain from north africa vikings ventured across atlantic search fish since columbus a global spices luxury goods but recent developments dwarf past figure 1 products 1961 2002 0 100000 200000 300000 400000 500000 600000 196 96 3 5 19 6 7 9 97 197 98 8 198 199 99 200 year m illio n d o lla r imports exports 32 billion 442 explaining neoclassical approach loosened restrictions tariffs quotas formation gatt wto permitted expansion markets neo institutional redistribution rights new institutions that permit increased political economy