Thumbnail Image

Why has Africa become a net food importer? - Explaining Africa agricultural and food trade deficits

Year of publication 2011

Author Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Category Technical book

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) ...High-income countries in Africa had high net food imports per capita, but they did not have problems paying for their large food imports because they had ample sources of foreign currencies. [...] Conversely, low-income countries imported less food per capita, but their agricultural export revenues, or even sometimes, their total merchandise export revenues, could not cover their relatively small food import bills.... .... [[The] stagnation of per capita net food imports c ontrasts the steady and sharp increase in total net food imports [...] and confirms that the population increase played an important role in the increase in Africa’s import demand for food ... Much has been said about domestic production not being able to meet domestic demand fully, but the relatively small shares of net food imports in GDP were signs that domestic food production has played a significant role in feeding the growing African population. Still, the weakness of do mestic production especially for Sub-Saharan Africa lies mainly in its inability to deal with an eventual sustained increase in per capita consumption. Unless food production per capita increases or unless many surplus areas in the continent are connected to the market, any sharp increase in per capita consumption, because of, say, a sudden increase in income or a dramatic change in dietary pattern in the low income will only be met by an increase in food imports.

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Proceedings
    Proceedings of the Fiji/FAO 1997 Asia Pacific Sugar Conference
    Fiji, 29-31 October 1997
    1998
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOREWORD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This publication contains the proceedings of the International Sugar Conference held in Fiji from 29 to 31 October 1997. The Conference was jointly organised by the Government of Fiji and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Conference addressed "Policy issues for Asia a nd the Pacific in the Next Round of Mulitlateral Negotiations." The theoretical outlook, framework and analysis, and background documentation to these issues were prepared by the Sugar and Beverage Group of the Raw Materials, Tropical and Horticultural Products Service, Commodities and Trade Division, FAO. These were published as Conference papers, covering a range of issues and included country studies for the major regional producers and consumers; the quantitative outlook to 2005; the impact of trade liberalisation on the world sugar market; and a discussion on the nurtitional aspects of sugar. Papers were also prepared and presented by internationally renowned speakers from the world sugar trade (Tote and Lyle - Australia; Sparks - United States; Siel Limited - India); grower and miller organizations (the Philippine Sugar Millers Association; the Thai Roong Ruang Group and the Australian Sugar Milling Council); government institutions (USDA and the Queensland Sugar Corporatio n) and other international organizations (World Bank and International Sugar Organization). The keynote addresses were given by the Honourable Mr Militoni Leweniqila, the Fiji Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and ALTA, and Mr J.N. Greenfield, the Director of the Commodities and Trade Division, who also summed up the proceedings.
  • No Thumbnail Available
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Book (stand-alone)
    Technical study
    AGRICULTURE, TRADE AND FOOD SECURITY: ISSUES AND OPTIONS IN THE WTO NEGOTIATIONS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.
    Report and papers of an FAO Symposiumheld at Geneva on 23 - 24 September 1999. Vol. 1 Issues and options.
    2000
    Also available in:
    As part of its mandate to provide assistance to member countries for the follow-up to the Uruguay Round and future negotiations on agriculture, FAO has pursued a wide range of activities with a view to enhancing the capacity of member countries, particularly developing countries, to analyse the implications of the Uruguay Round Agreements for the agricultural sector, to adjust to the new trading environment and thus take advantage of trading opportunities, and to participate effectively in futur e multilateral trade negotiations. The 1996 World Food Summit Plan of Action commits FAO to continue assisting developing countries on trade issues and in particular
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Technical book
    Tackling Climate Change through Livestock
    A global assessment of emissions and mitigation opportunities
    2013
    Also available in:
    As renewed international efforts are needed to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the livestock sector can contribute its part. An important emitter of greenhouse gas, it also has the potential to significantly reduce its emissions. This report provides a unique global assessment of the magnitude, the sources and pathways of emissions from different livestock production systems and supply chains. Relying on life cycle assessment, statistical analysis and scenario building, it also prov ides estimates of the sector’s mitigation potential and identifies concrete options to reduce emissions. The report is a useful resource for stakeholders from livestock producers to policy-makers, researchers and civil society representatives, which also intends to inform the public debate on the role of livestock supply chains in climate change and possible solutions.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Technical book
    The future of food and agriculture - Trends and challenges 2017
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    What will be needed to realize the vision of a world free from hunger and malnutrition? After shedding light on the nature of the challenges that agriculture and food systems are facing now and throughout the 21st century, the study provides insights into what is at stake and what needs to be done. “Business as usual” is not an option. Major transformations in agricultural systems, rural economies, and natural resources management are necessary. The present study was undertaken for the quadrennial review of FAO’s strategic framework and for the preparation of the Organization Medium-Term plan 2018-2021.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Technical book
    UN JOINT PROGRAMMES - Integrating gender issues in food security, agriculture and rural development 2010
    Also available in:
    These guidelines provide practical guidance to support programme and operations staff in UN Country Teams to integrate gender e quality concerns into Joint Programmes (JP) for food security, agriculture and rural development. The guidelines outline oppor tunities to incorporate gender into both the JP process (formulation, implementation and monitoring and evaluation) and project document. They include a general gender equality checklist as well as thematic checklists to mains tream gender in areas of cross-cutting importance for agriculture and rural devel opment. A list of useful resources is also provided.
Show more