Does global food trade close the dietary nutrient gap for the world's poorest nations?
2021
Authors
Geyik, O., Hadjikakou, M., Kurrapinar, B. and Bryan, B.A.
Abstract
Global food trade enables the flow of dietary nutrients between countries. However, little is known about whether trade improves nutrient supply of countries most in need. Using detailed production and bilateral trade data, we found that despite strongly connected global nutrient networks, trade did not substantively improve the nutrient adequacy of most low/lower-middle income countries (~40% of the global population), with particular concerns around vitamin A and B12. Mean imports by low/lower-middle income countries, in adequacy terms, were on average 70% lower than those of upper-middle/high income countries. Many countries with low nutrient adequacy relied upon a few major trade partners with imports dominated by cereals rather than micronutrient-rich food products. Nutrition-sensitive production and trade policies are needed to enhance global nutrition security.
Table 1. World Bank income groups, corresponding income ranges, number of countries and populations for each group (GNI = Gross National Income) (The World Bank, 2020).