Blog Category

Trade

How countries have coped with recent agricultural trade disruptions

Feb 27th, 2025 • by ABDULLAH MAMUN AND JOSEPH GLAUBER

Global agricultural markets have been in a constant state of uproar over the past five years. Trade wars between major trading nations such as China, the United States, and Australia, supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s war in Ukraine, crisis in the Middle East, and export restrictions in many countries have diverted supplies, altered trading patterns, and increased price volatility, which often makes markets less efficient and more costly. 

The ECOWAS breakup: Implications for West African food security and regional cooperation

Feb 3rd, 2025 • by Danielle Resnick

On January 28, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will lose three of its founding members—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—comprising 16% of its population of 424 million and 7% of its GDP. Labeled “Sahelexit” by some commentators, the decision to leave ECOWAS was first announced a year ago by the three countries’ trio of military leaders and is now poised to legally take effect.

The ECOWAS breakup: Implications for West African food security and regional cooperation

Feb 3rd, 2025 • by Danielle Resnick

On January 28, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will lose three of its founding members—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—comprising 16% of its population of 424 million and 7% of its GDP. Labeled “Sahelexit” by some commentators, the decision to leave ECOWAS was first announced a year ago by the three countries’ trio of military leaders and is now poised to legally take effect.

Food Self-Sufficiency Not Enough for Food Security, New Research Suggests

Jan 16th, 2025 • by Sara Gustafson

Does Africa need food self-sufficiency to achieve long-term food security?

Not necessarily, according to new research from IFPRI.

With food security continuing to deteriorate across the region and an estimated 600 million people expected to be chronically undernourished by 2030, shoring up Africa’s food and nutrition security has become a priority for the region’s policymakers. This perceived need has been further highlighted by recurring shocks to global food markets, including the 2008 food crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Challenges Remain for Trade Integration in West Africa

Sep 26th, 2024 • by Sara Gustafson

Since its establishment in 1975, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been a regional economic community (REC) success story, enabling free movement of people and enhancing trade integration across its 15 member states. When it comes to the movement of agricultural goods, however, ECOWAS continues to be hampered by regional conflict, political instability, corruption, poor infrastructure and logistical capabilities, and the lack of a common regional currency.