Cultural economy study of beef as a commodity

This paper provides a preliminary analysis of research being undertaken in the Central Queensland region exploring beef as a commodity. The research takes as its starting point the desirability of understanding the relationships between production and consumption of agricultural commodities. It is also concerned with emerging ways in which food and agricultural networks are conceptualised and the changing discursive and material construction of beef 'quality'. A Cultural Economy Approach is one such way that attempts to link all aspects of the beef commodity process. In utilising aspects of this approach, this paper reports on the relationships among actors involved in the production and distribution of beef, and highlights the 'meanings' of the product, throughout the beef commodity chain. Preliminary findings suggest that: first, the chain is complex with many different actors involved in material and symbolic construction; second, that the notions of 'quality' and 'consumer satisfaction' are general themes along the chain; third, that while notions of 'quality' and 'consumer satisfaction' are shared, the actual components of these meanings differ according to the actors' sites along the chain; and, finally, that while there is some concern expressed about environmental issues, the focus is on health/cleanliness rather than on sustainable production along the beef chain.