Food Price Increases in South Asia : National Responses and Regional Dimensions
Food price inflation not only threatens macroeconomic stability but also decreases the welfare levels of most households, especially the poorer ones, for whom food consumption constitutes a relatively large share of total expenditures. This report...
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Language: | English |
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World Bank
2012
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Online Access: | http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000333037_20100806030709 http://hdl.handle.net/10986/2885 |
Summary: | Food price inflation not only threatens
macroeconomic stability but also decreases the welfare
levels of most households, especially the poorer ones, for
whom food consumption constitutes a relatively large share
of total expenditures. This report analyzes the causes and
effects of food price inflation in South Asia during the
period 2007?08 and beyond; simulates the impact of food
price increases on household welfare and the potential of
adjustments in consumer and producer behavior for mitigating
the negative impact on welfare; and assesses the potential
impact of regional trade liberalization on food prices. The
appendixes describe the policy reactions of individual
governments to the increases in food prices against the
background of their respective domestic food policies. The
focus is on wheat and rice, which are the main food staples
in South Asia and together account for an important part of
food expenditures of the poor. By analyzing the
household?level impacts of the food crisis and taking stock
of the policy responses of national governments, including
their regional dimensions, the report allows lessons to be
drawn regarding the policies that South Asian governments
may want to follow to enable them to react appropriately in
case another food crisis unfolds, while at the same time
helping to prevent such a crisis from occurring. |
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