Food Price Escalation in South Asia—A Serious and Growing Concern

Date: February 2012
Type: Papers and Briefs
Country:
Subject:
Agriculture and natural resources
Series: South Asia Working Papers

Description

South Asia is arguably the most vulnerable region to increasing food inflation given the large segment of the population living below or near the poverty line. This paper deals with the problems related to food price inflation in South Asia in a comprehensive manner. It presents an in-depth empirical analysis of the possible factors that could explain the increase in food inflation, and discusses the impact of food price inflation on poverty and macroeconomic stability in South Asia. The paper further proposes some practical policies to address the situation, including how regionalism may be a solution to food inflation.

Contents

  • Abstract 
  • Introduction 
  • Recent Trends in Food Prices 
  • Causes—What is Behind the Renewed Increase in Food Prices? 
  • Impacts 
  • Policy Responses by Governments in South Asia 
  • Key Recommendations for Policymakers 
  • Is Regionalism an Answer? 
  • Conclusion 
  • References 
  • Appendixes