2023-07-21-国际贸易中心-2023年不发达国家贸易报告_64页_3mb

报告摘要

Summary of LDC Trade Report 2023: Improving Food Security

Core Content

The LDC Trade Report 2023: Improving Food Security is a joint publication by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS). It examines the role of trade in enhancing food security in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and outlines policy options to improve resilience in the face of global shocks.

Main Points

1. Food Security and Trade in LDCs

Over 60% of the population in LDCs experiences food insecurity, which is twice that of other developing countries and six times that of developed countries.
Trade can improve food access, availability, and diversity, but also increase vulnerability to external shocks due to import dependence.
LDCs are net food importers, with 14% of their food supply coming from net imports, significantly higher than in other developing and developed countries.
Trade helps increase the diversity of food supply in LDCs, but may also lead to over-reliance on exportable cash crops, reducing domestic food production diversity.

2. Vulnerability to Shocks

Cereals, vegetable oils, and sweeteners account for 64% of the calories available in LDCs, and their supply is heavily dependent on imports.
Import concentration is a major risk: over 40% of key food imports in LDCs come from only three main partners, increasing the risk of supply chain disruptions.
The war in Ukraine and global food and fertilizer price hikes in 2022 had a negative impact on LDC food imports, with 13% increase in import value and 25% surge in food prices.
Food imports in 2022 lagged behind food prices for most LDCs, leading to declines in real food imports.

3. Trade Policies in LDCs

High tariffs on food imports continue to be a barrier to food access in LDCs.
Non-tariff measures (NTMs), such as charges, taxes, and price controls, are also common obstacles.
The Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) for 2022–2031 emphasizes the need to enhance trade and regional integration to improve food security and build resilience.
Multilateral cooperation is essential to improve market information and deter harmful export restrictions that can worsen food insecurity.

4. Policy Options for Resilience

Improve market access for food imports by revising tariffs and eliminating non-tariff barriers.
Diversify suppliers and integrate into regional agrifood value chains to reduce dependency on a few key partners.
Regional integration initiatives, such as the AfCFTA, offer opportunities to streamline trade procedures and enhance market access.
International support is crucial, including cooperation to stabilize food prices and improve information systems for LDCs.

Key Information

LDCs are defined by the United Nations and currently include 46 countries.
The report is part of a series that will cover trade-related issues relevant to LDCs.
It is supported by the LDC Trade Tracker, an interactive website that allows for the monitoring of trade trends and patterns.
Food security is a multi-dimensional concept, encompassing availability, access, utilization, and stability.
Trade can have both positive and negative effects on food security, depending on the context and policy design.

Conclusion

The report highlights the critical role of trade in improving food security for LDCs, while also acknowledging the risks of import dependence and concentration of suppliers. It calls for policy reforms, international cooperation, and regional integration to build resilience against food shocks and support the SDGs. The DPoA and WTO Ministerial Declaration provide a framework for action, emphasizing the need for coordinated policies to address food insecurity and promote sustainable development.

References and Appendices

The report includes references to key organizations and documents, such as the FAO, WTO, and HLPE.
Appendices provide additional figures and data supporting the analysis.
Endnotes offer further clarification on the data and methodologies used in the report.