David Ortega

Contact Me

Professor and Noel W. Stuckman Chair in Food Economics & Policy
Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics

Phone:
517-353-2981

Email:
dlortega@msu.edu

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

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

David L. Ortega is a Professor and the Noel W. Stuckman Chair in Food Economics and Policy at Michigan State University. He leads an integrated research, education, and outreach program focused on understanding decision-making in agrifood systems and how economic forces shape food markets and policy.

Dr. Ortega's work examines food markets, agricultural trade, and public policy, with a focus on how consumers, producers, firms, and policymakers make decisions within complex agrifood systems. His research spans food price inflation, trade and market access, consumer demand, and agrifood supply chains. Dr. Ortega’s work draws on more than fifteen years of field research in China as well as projects across Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals including Food Policy, Journal of Supply Chain Management, Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, and World Development.

Dr. Ortega has testified before the U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committees, the Michigan Senate Agriculture Committee, and advised federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Reserve Banks. A recipient of the Borlaug CAST Communication Award, he is recognized for translating rigorous economic research into clear insights for policymakers and public audiences.

His economic analysis and policy commentary are regularly featured in national and international media outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Financial Times, Politico, CNN, PBS, and Time.

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

Research and Outreach Interests

Food economics and policy
Food prices and food inflation
Food supply chains
Agricultural trade and market access
Consumer and producer decision-making
Food marketing
Experimental and behavioral economics

Courses Taught

AFRE 817: Agricultural and Food Policy
AFRE 440: Food Marketing Management

Media and Outreach

Dr. Ortega regularly speaks with journalists and media organizations covering food, agriculture, and economic policy. For media inquiries, please contact him at dlortega@msu.edu.