Institute for International Economic Policy

Food Price Increases: Causes, Impacts and Responses

The forum featured current research and policy analysis on the causes, impacts and responses to recent increases in food prices. The forum included a combination of presentation of research results, demonstration of policy tools, and discussion of policy implications, priority actions, and future research needs. The forum focused on global trends as well as regions of interest, notably Africa.

Schedule

September 30, 2011

Location: Lindner Family Commons
1957 E St NW Suite 602

8:30-9:00 a.m. - Breakfast

9:00-9:15 a.m. - Opening Remarks
Stephen Smith (GWU-IIEP) - Forum on Food Price Increases

9:15-10:45 p.m. - Panel 1 - Causes: Long and Short Term Forces Underlying Food Price Spikes and Trends

Speakers:
9:15-9:45 - Nora Lustig (Tulane University), "Survey of Long and Short Run Factors" - Thought for Food Revisited: Causes, Consequences and Policy Dilemmas
9:45-10:15 - Keith O. Fuglie (Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture) - "Global and Regional Food Productivity and Output Trends" - Productivity Growth

10:15-10:45 a.m. - Panel 1 Discussion

10:45-11:15 a.m. - Coffee Break

11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. - Panel 2 - Impacts: Poverty, Nutrition and Welfare Impacts of Food Price Increases

Speakers:
11:15 a.m. - 11:45 p.m. - Francisco Ferreira (World Bank) - "Rising Food Prices and Household Welfare: Evidence from Brazil" - Background Paper
11:45-12:15 p.m. - James Foster (George Washington University) - "Measurement Issues in Assessing Poverty Impacts of Food Price Spikes" - PPT

12:15-12:45 p.m. - Panel 2 Discussion

12:45-2:00 p.m. - Lunch

1:15-2:00 p.m. - Luncheon Keynote: Alain de Janvry (UC Berkeley) - PPT

2:00-4:00 p.m. - Panel 3 - Responses: Policy and Program Responses to Food Price Spikes

Speakers:
2:00-2:30 p.m. - Carlos B Martins-Filho (IFPRI and University of Colorado, Boulder) - "Excessive Food Price Volatility Early Warning System" - PPT and "Maize Excessive Food Price Variability Early Warning System" and "Maize Prices and Returns"
2:30-3:00 p.m. - Maximo Torero (IFPRI) - "Price Volatility in Food and Agricultural Markets: Policy Responses" - PPT
3:00-3:30 pm. - Uma Lele (Author and Development Consultant) - "Policy Responses to Food Price Spikes" - Challenges Facing the Global Architecture for Food and Agriculture Going Forward

3:30-4:00 p.m. - Panel 3 Discussion