Zeszyty naukowe
Autor: Renata Knap 33
Strony: 33-52
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THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD FOOD TRADE

Summary

For many least developed countries (LDCs), food security remains a major priority and policy objective. The global food crisis that erupted in the spring of 2008 served to highlight food insecurity as one of the most fundamental constraints on growth and development in LDC. The impact of the food crisis has been exacerbated by the current global financial crisis.

This paper analyses changes in LDCs foreign food trade in the context of global market trends and food security in LDCs during 2000–2009. The analysis show that in 2000-2009 LDCs experienced a significant increase in the value of food exports. The increase is largely explained by rising international food prices. Whilst exports have boomed in LDCs, imports have also surged and the food trade deficit of LDCs has increased. Although international prices for food declined during the second half of 2008, in most cases in LDCs, domestic food process declined far less then international food commodity prices did. Rising international food prices in 2007 and early 2008 will have negative effects on poverty trends and food security in LDCs. This negative effects will arise because LDCs are going to be severely affected by the current global financial crisis and global recession.