Supermarkets, Smallholders and Livelihoods Prospects in Selected Asian Countries

Recent literature has drawn attention to the speedy rise of supermarkets in different regions of the
developing world and forecast their rapid spread. The emergence of supermarkets has transformed
agri-food markets, but at different rates and to a different extent across regions and countries. This
transformation is a challenge for smallholders. While the risk of their exclusion is real, it is argued
that there are opportunities as well. Indeed, contrary to assertions, the demise of smallholders as a
consequence of the growth of supermarkets and dramatic changes in the food supply chain is neither
likely nor unavoidable.