China’s Aging Cooperative Network Evolves amidst Commercial Transformation

China’s supply and marketing cooperatives, established during the early years of the nation, have seen a reshaping process in response to evolving market dynamics. Initially serving as primary channels for farmers’ needs, these cooperatives expanded to include various operations such as agricultural services and logistics. While these cooperatives faced a decline post-market reforms, embracing competition from private entities, they have adapted and encompass around 37,000 grassroots cooperatives today, with over 856,000 operational outlets throughout China. In an effort to modernize and improve efficiency, China plans to build national strategic agricultural-input reserves and county-level distribution centers by 2030, emphasizing sustainable growth…