G. Baourakis
     Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania,
     Studies Co-ordinator of the Economic/Management Sciences and Marketing Department
     baouraki@maich.gr   
 
     G. Daian
     M.Sc. student at the Department of Economic & Management Sciences and Marketing,
     Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania
     daian@maich.gr

Abstract

This article deals with the evolution and prospects of “new information technology” otherwise known as e-commerce, in the agribusiness sector.
The initial stage of e-commerce age in agriculture is briefly examined by pointing out the changes in the food retailing chain, which are brought on by the “quick response partnership” concept.
Subsequently, the article focuses on the way in which farmers run their farm business by using the Internet and taking advantage of  e-tools. For all the opportunities that e-commerce offers, farmers need to be aware of possible barriers in this sense, an attempt is made to determine both e-commerce opportunities and barriers.
An overview of how e-commerce is embraced by the agribusiness sector is presented through some statistical data from several countries such as: the United States of America, Canada, the European Union and Australia.
At the end of this article, emphasis is placed on the potential role of the e-commerce in the agribusiness sector.

Keywords: e-commerce, niche marketing, Internet, business-to-business, business-to-consumer, new information technology.