African Regional Integration: Implications for Food Security

Michiel Van Dijk ()

No 101645, Paper Series from Wageningen University and Research Center, Agricultural Economics Research Institute

Abstract: This report looks at the African regional trade, regional integration agreements (RIAs) and the implications for food security. An overview is presented on the present state of African regional integration and the determinants of regional trade in agriculture and food commodities. In particular the study focuses on eight target countries, related RIAs and a set of strategic food commodities. The evidence presented in this study shows that African countries have made progress in opening up agriculture and food trade with partner countries. With, the exception of Ghana, Tanzania and Mozambique, the effective applied tariff rates for regional trade partners are substantially lower than the (MFN) rates applied to world trade partners. Nonetheless, regional trade in agriculture and food only increased marginally between 1990 and 2009, and is relatively low in comparison with other developing regions. The weak state of soft and hard infrastructure, rather than high trade tariffs, seem to be the cause of this.

Keywords: Agricultural and Food Policy; Food Security and Poverty; International Development; International Relations/Trade (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 29
Date: 2011-03-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-afr, nep-agr and nep-int
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:aerips:101645

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.101645

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