Fig. 13. The energy costs of transportation and storage are great. If corn is consumed in the form
of meat, such costs can be greater than for fresh or canned corn by several orders of magnitude.

A - Movement of corn to the home for consumption in the form of beef can be
tremendously complicated, involving many stages of transportation and storage.
The emergence of large retail outlet chains has further complicated the system and has
contributed to the decline of the traditional role of the jobber. The packer, which can be
either a small family operation or a giant corporation, has the task of slaughtering and
distributing meat as box beef, carcasses, or primal cuts through several outlets.

B - Movement of fresh or canned corn to the home is less complicated. Because sweet
corn has a freshness value, it must move to the consumer or the processor as rapidly as
possible. Transportation and storage must be minimized. The broker serves only as an
agent and may actually be a nonprofit farmers' cooperative.

Back