Food multinationals are the dominant players of the world's manufacturing industry. Analysing their evolution is necessary in understanding the functioning of the world's agro-food system. Faced with important constraints like slow-down in demand and a strengthening food-retailing sector, they set up new sectoral strategies, especially in western countries. In addition, they enlarge their markets towards emerging economies where they struggle for leader positions. All these moves lead to a larger capital concentration and highlight the major trends of the world's food oligopoly.

Keywords: food multinational enterprises, globalisation process, capital concentration, external growth, corporate strategy, agro-food system, sectoral diversification, geographical expansion