Global Food Price Inflation and Developing Asia

Date: March 2011
Type: Reports
Subject:
Poverty
ISBN: 978-92-9092-269-8 (print), 978-92-9092-282-7 (web)
Price: Hardcopy Price: $23.00

Description

The specter of high commodity prices has recently reemerged, with global food prices registering a new peak in February 2011, triggered mainly by production shortfalls due to bad weather. The 30% hike in international food prices has translated to an average domestic food price inflation in developing Asia of about 10%. This could push an additional 64.4 million Asians into poverty, or lead to a 1.9 percentage point increase in poverty incidence based on the $1.25-a-day poverty line. The frequency with which food price spikes have occurred in recent years suggests that short- and long-term solutions need to be implemented to secure food supplies for the world's growing population.

Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Causes of High Food Prices
  • Transmission of Global Food Prices to Domestic Prices
  • Food Price Near-Term Outlook
  • Effects of High and Rising Commodity Prices
  • Policies for Enhancing Food Security
  • Conclusion
  • References
  • Appendix 1: Impact of Food Price Increases on Poverty for 25 Developing Asian Countries, $1.25-a-day Poverty Line
  • Appendix 2: National Policies to Address Rising Food Prices (as of 16 February 2011)