Market making in agrifood markets: An approach under the theoretical lens of Constructivist Market Studies (CMS)

Abstract

Agrifood markets have a complex dynamic, resulting from the involvement of actors from different production systems that emphasize their great economic, social and environmental relevance. In recent years, the recognition of different entities and forces in rural market studies, especially in agri-food market studies, has drawn the attention of researchers who consider Constructivist Market Studies (CMS) as an investigative perspective. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to understand the different lines of study used in research involving the construction of agrifood markets. Articles dealing with CME in the context of agri-food markets were identified. In a second moment, the works were organized
and classified according to their main analytical category of the research and the market context addressed. Thus, four
categories were established: (1) the study of performativity in agrifood markets, (2) market agencement in agrifood
contexts, (3) calculation, materiality and devices in agrifood markets and (4) constructivist theorization in agrifood
markets. The results of this research demonstrate that the different lines of CMS extend to rural studies and reveal new
opportunities for analyzing their markets. This approach replaced the hegemonic focus of the economy in market studies with a reflective need, equally relevant, on the cultural and sociotechnical aspects that involve market relations.