2008 年 17 巻 2 号 p. 89-94
This paper clarifies the present conditions and problems surrounding Japan's roughage import from the United States. The general trading company and agricultural cooperatives that own processing equipment occupy the most hay-cube's market-share. But, hay's market-share decentralizes because small-scale companies enter the business easily. It is difficult to reduce the price by quantity buying because of various demands for hay. However, agricultural cooperatives build supply system from procurement in the United States to sale in Japan, and try to advance price reductions.