Suzanne Thornsbury joined the faculty at Michigan State University as an Agri-Food Systems and Markets Economist in 2002. She maintains an active outreach program based on applied research that focuses on the linkage between marketing, management, and trade strategies of horticultural industries seeking to remain (or become) competitive in a global economy. A major focus is global drivers of change in horticultural markets including international trade (particularly non-tariff restrictions that address plant, animal, or human health concerns such as food safety, invasive species, labeling), knowledge-based competition, and public and private policies governing markets and trade management. A second, related, focus is competitive industry strategies for successful participation in the global economy.

Professional Interests

• International trade
• Produce markets
• Domestic and global competitiveness
• Food policy

Selected Publications

Suzanne Thornsbury, Lourdes Marinez, and David Schweikhardt (2007). “Michigan: A State at the Intersection of the Debate over Full Planting Flexibility.” Contractor and Cooperators Report No. 29, USDA Economic Research Service, January.

Suzanne Thornsbury, Roger Hinson, Lourdes Martinez, and Dixie Watts Reaves (2006). “Fresh Produce Intermediaries:  Impacts of Change in Away-from-Home Food Markets and Trade Practices.” Choices. 4th Quarter, 21(4):253-257. http://www.choicesmagazine.org/.

Eduardo Romano and Suzanne Thornsbury (2006). “Institutional Uncertainty at Home and Away: The Case of Lemons from Argentina.” Choices. 3rd Quarter, 21(3): 143-147. http://www.choicesmagazine.org/.

Mollie Woods, Suzanne Thornsbury, Kellie Curry Raper, and Richard Weldon (2006). “Regional Trade Patterns: The Impact of Voluntary Food Safety Standards.” Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics. 54:531-553.

Cristobal Aquilar and Suzanne Thornsbury (2005). “Limited Resources – Growing Needs: Lessons Learned in a Process to Facilitate Program Evaluation.” Journal of Extension. 43(6): Article 6FEA3, http://www.joe.org.

Suzanne Thornsbury, Kathy Davis, and Ronald Ward (2005). “Fresh Grapefruit Supply-Chain Adjustments: Consolidation in Produce Packing?” Journal of Food Distribution Research. 36(3): 33-44.

Suzanne Thornsbury, Donna Roberts, and David Orden (2004). “Measurement and Political Economy of Disputed Technical Regulations.” Journal of Agriculture and Applied Economics. December, 36(3): 559-574.

Suzanne Thornsbury, Kathy Davis, and Tara Minton (2003). “Adding Value to Agricultural Information: A Golden Opportunity,” Review of Agricultural Economics. Fall/Winter, 25(2): 550-568.

Suzanne Thornsbury and Tara Minton (2002). “Implementation of the SPS Agreement,” Global Agricultural Trade in the New Millennium. P. Lynn Kennedy and Won W. Koo (eds.) New York: Howarth Press, 305-319.

Linda Calvin, Roberta Cook, Mark Denbaly, Carolyn Dimitry, Lewrene Glaser, Charles Handy, Mark Jekanowski, Phil Kaufman, Barry Krissoff, Gary Thompson, and Suzanne Thornsbury (2001). “U.S. Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Marketing: Emerging Trade Practices, Trends, and Issues,” Agricultural Economic Report, USDA Economic Research Service Number 795, January.

Funded Research Projects

• Agents of Change: A Multidisciplinary Protocol for Assessing Climate Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation
• Capacity Building for Tart Cherry Exports to China
• EU Trade Policies and their Impact on Agricultural Exports
• Enhancing profitability of Michigan’s tree fruit industries with market-ready shelf-stable products
• Systems Approach Policies for Invasive Species Management