The International Agricultural Trade Research Consortium (IATRC or Consortium) is a unique international association of agricultural trade researchers and policy practitioners.
Started in 1980 by six U.S. agricultural economists, the Consortium has grown to about 200 economists in academia, government, and research institutions in 31 countries. Over the past quarter-century, it has established itself as one of the premier institutions for advancing knowledge on agricultural trade and trade policy, informing policy formulation and public debate.
The objectives of the IATRC are to:
- Enhance the quality and relevance of international agricultural trade research and policy analysis
- Encourage collaborative research
- Facilitate communication among trade researchers and analysts drawn from universities, government agencies and the private sector in a range of countries
- Improve public understanding of international trade and trade policy issues.
In Memoriam, Andrew Schmitz, IATRC Founding Member
Dear IATRC Members,
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Andrew (“Andy”) Schmitz, Ben Hill Griffin, Jr., Eminent Scholar and Professor of Food and Resource Economics at the University of Florida and Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. While a professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UC Berkeley (1968-1994), Andy was one of the founders and committed early participants in IATRC, and it is difficult to put into words how much he has meant to our consortium.
Andy was there from the beginning. As summarized by McCalla, Rossmiller and Bipes (2010) in “Celebrating the First Thirty Years” (of what formally became IATRC), Andrew Schmitz and Jimmye Hillman organized in April 1977 a Symposium on International Trade and Agriculture in Tucson, Arizona. It was at the conclusion of that meeting that a small “West-Coast Trade Group” first discussed the need for a sustained forum for agricultural trade research. Andy became one of the “Founding Six” who wrote early position papers, secured initial support from the Ford Foundation, and interactively developed the proposal to USDA that led to the birth of IATRC. Andy attended the Consortium’s first formal meeting in St. Paul, MN, in the summer of 1980 as one of the “Original 13,” and he remained an engaged and generous presence at our meetings for decades to follow, including attending the last several years.
Raised on his family’s wheat farm in Canada, Andy had a deep personal connection to agriculture throughout his career. Over his years at Berkeley and then more than 30 years at the University of Florida (1994-2026) he has been a “giant” in economics and agricultural and resource economics who is widely recognized nationally and internationally for his work advancing the development and application of welfare economics in trade and public policy (e.g., Just, Hueth and Schmitz 2005, Edward Elgar Publishing).
To IATRC, however, just as memorable was his dedication to our cause, his mentorship and feedback provided to so many of us, and his love of spirited debates. Many of us will recall his stimulating and challenging comments and questions, always along with positive feedback and encouragement, at our annual meetings and symposia. Generations of agricultural trade economists, many of them IATRC members, count him as a graduate advisor, mentor, colleague, and friend.
Our thoughts and condolences are with his wife Carole, his son Troy, Professor and Director, Morrison School of Agribusiness at Arizona State University, and the rest of the Schmitz family. The University of Florida’s Food and Resource Economics Department has more information about a gathering to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Andrew Schmitz at the Schmitz home in Gainesville, Florida, on Saturday, October 17, from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Please contact the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department directly for details.
The IATRC exists in large part because of Andy’s vision and commitment. We will miss you Andy, and we are grateful for all that you gave to this community.
With warmest sympathy,
IATRC