Strengthening sector policies for better food security and nutrition results: Trade

Year of publication2017

AuthorFAO

PublisherFAO

AbstractTrade in agricultural products has expanded almost threefold in value terms over the past decade and is expected to continue to increase over the coming years. As such, it will play an increasingly important role in influencing the extent and nature of food security. While agricultural trade can have important benefits for food security and nutrition, the challenge is to ensure that its expansion works for, and not against, the elimination of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition. Policy mak ers formulating trade policies must prioritize long-term structural transformation objectives over short-term political or commercial interests. This guidance note aims to support policy makers and agriculture stakeholders in promoting greater coherence between trade and agricultural policies and identifying the policy space within trade agreements for developing countries to address food security concerns. It also discusses the appropriateness of different trade policy measures in improving foo d security.

 

ThemeResponsible Business Conduct (RBC) in Agriculture, Responsible Global Value Chains, Responsible Agricultural Supply

Product typeBrochure (factsheet; flyer/leaflet; Poster; banner)

Areas of workTrade Policy and Partnerships

Keywordsproducts; agricultural trade; commodity markets; trade policies; trade agreements; food security