Agribusiness and Informality in Border Regions in Europe and North America: Avenues of Integration or Roads to Exploitation?

Agribusiness is a globalized industry typified by capital-intensive, large-scale production for domestic and foreign markets. The employment of both migrant and immigrant laborers, and the informality that surrounds use of these laborers, are important components to such production. This paper examines the adaptation to and negotiation of farm laborers in informal markets in conjunction with the socioeconomic development of rural communities in border regions. I present ethnographic research from two important border production zones: the Coachella Valley of Southern California in the United States, and the Campo de Dalías in Almería Province, Andalucía, Spain. Through comparison of these cases, I explore two interrelated aspects of informality in the agribusiness industry: obtaining work and finding a place to live. Establishing and maintaining social networks are key to overcoming social consequences that arise out of agribusiness practices, but their resolution differ in the Coachella Valley and Campo de Dalías. I conclude by discussing the implications of the comparison and possible avenues for further research.