David Ortega

David Ortega

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Professor and Noel W. Stuckman Chair in Food Economics & Policy
Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy

Phone:
517-353-2981

Email:

Degrees:
Ph.D., Purdue University
M.S., Purdue University
B.S., University of Florida

Professor and Noel W. Stuckman Chair in Food Economics & Policy

Dr. David L. Ortega, a Professor and the Noel W. Stuckman Chair in Food Economics & Policy at Michigan State University, leads an integrated research, teaching, and outreach program focused on understanding the decision-making processes of consumers, producers, and agribusinesses to better inform food policies and marketing strategies.

Dr. Ortega has extensive research experience both domestically and internationally, including significant work in several emerging and developing countries across Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Over the past 15 years, his work in China has centered on evaluating emerging markets for U.S. agricultural products and the economics of food quality. His research has been published in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, including Food Policy, World Development, Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, Economic Development and Cultural Change, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, and China Economic Review.

Recognized for his expert analysis of the forces and events that impact and shape the agricultural and food sectors, Dr. Ortega has been called upon to deliver testimony before federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committees. His insights and economic analysis are also frequently featured in major media outlets such as The New York Times, National Public Radio, The Washington Post, Financial Times, Newsweek, Detroit Free Press, ABC News, NBC News, PBS, USA Today, CNN, Forbes, and Politico.

Dr. Ortega earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University.

Research and Outreach Interests

  • Food economics and policy
  • Consumer and producer decision-making
  • Food marketing
  • Food supply chains
  • Agricultural development
  • Experimental economics
  • China

Publications on Google Scholar

Courses Taught

  • AFRE 817 Food Policy
  • AFRE 440 Food Marketing Management

Dr. Ortega provides timely analysis of forces and events affecting the agricultural and food sector. He has been called to provide expert testimony before federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Congress. He is frequently interviewed by prominent media outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, USA Today, CNN, PBS, Forbes, Politico, Newsweek, and the Detroit Free Press, among others. Dr. Ortega earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University.

Research and Outreach Interests

  • Consumer and producer decision making
  • Food marketing
  • Agricultural development
  • China

Teaching Experience

  • AFRE 817 Food Policy
  • FIM 335 Food Marketing Management

  • FIM 460 Retail Information Systems

David Ortega provides expert testimony to congress 

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