A different type of 'final four'

The “final four” is part of collegiate-basketball jargon. It could also be said that food and agriculture mergers have contributed to a “final four” in four main industry sectors. Food and Water Watch, a non-governmental organization focused on corporate and government accountability relating to food, water and corporate overreach provides a snapshot.

• The country’s four largest pork packers control 71 percent of the market.
• The country’s four largest beef packers control 85 percent of the market.
• The country’s largest four flour millers control 64 percent of the market.
• The country’s largest four fluid-milk processors control 50 percent of the market.