High Food Prices Research Articles

The Prevalence of Food Insecurity and the Principal Determinants in Tubah Health District, North West Cameron

Aims: Determine the prevalence of food insecurity and identify the principal determinants of household food security in Tubah Health District. Study design: The study was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey conducted in 6 communities in Bambui Health Area of Tubah Health District. Place and Duration of Study: Bambui health area in Tubah Health District of the North West region of Cameroon. The study lasted 6 months, from February to June 2022. Methodology: One hundred and eighty one (181) households were included in the survey. In each household the female head of the household was interviewed with the aid of a questionnaire, to gather subjective information about feeding practices in the household. A structured face to face questionnaire was used to collect information on 7-day dietary intake and 24-hour food recall. Food security was assessed using the Food Consumption Score (FCS) and Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) as proxy indicators. Anthropometric measurements comprising weight, height and Mid upper arm circumference were obtained for infants under five years. Results: Food insecurity was found to be 65.2% when the Food Consumption Score (FCS) was used as a proxy indicator and 64.6% when Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) was used as a proxy indicator. Household income was a significant predictor of FCS and HDDS, P =.05 and P =.001 respectively. Factors that negatively impacted the ability of households to meet their food needs were mainly high food prices (66.9%), insecurity (65.7%) and sickness related expenses (55.8%). The prevalence of stunting was 30.7%. There was a statistically significant association between stunting and food insecurity, ꭓ2 (1, N = 101) = 8.8 and P =.05. Conclusion: Household food insecurity prevalence rate was high in this community and this could be related to the conflict which has led to many households losing their livelihoods and the reduced agricultural productivity.

Opportunities and challenges for managers within the East-European agriculture sector: Case study on Romania

Agriculture has always been essential to the development of human society, providing the food necessary for human survival. For the Romanian economy, agriculture is a very important sector in terms of the number of enterprises involved and the agricultural area used, but also because of the workforce employed in the sector. However, Romanian agriculture is a vulnerable sector, which has had to face several unfavourable events in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic, the energy crisis, the conflict in Ukraine, and the lack of agricultural inputs have brought many risks for Romanian farmers in 2023, such as higher food prices and more expensive electricity for consumers. This paper aims to identify the perceptions of the managers regarding the outcomes of the recent events (the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy crisis, the conflict in Ukraine) on the future potential of agriculture in Romania and to determine their perceptions about the impact of other issues with which agricultural companies had to deal with in recent years (climate change, draught, inflation, governmental measures). Other goals of the paper were to find out the managers’ plans and prospects to potentially introduce or use new technologies and digitization within their own companies and uncover their assessments regarding the sector’s future within the European and international context. To identify these perspectives, qualitative research was carried out through in-depth interviews with respondents holding leadership positions within 16 Romanian agricultural companies. The data was analyzed in order to identify similarities and discrepancies within their statements and find corroborative ideas that could help improve the sector. The results of the paper showed how the COVID-19 pandemic and the unstable geo-political context along with other issues increased production costs, but favored digitization and technology. In the past years, because different events changed the European and Romanian economy, a lot of academic research has revolved around the areas of health, energy and technology. Therefore, the study brings elements of originality because of the theme and the approach, which provide valuable insights not only for Romania but for other countries in the region as well.

Analyzing economic inflation's impact on food security and accessibility through econometric modeling

This study investigates the impact of economic inflation on food security and accessibility through the development of an econometric modeling approach. As inflation rates rise, the purchasing power of consumers diminishes, leading to increased food prices and potentially exacerbating food insecurity. This research aims to quantify the relationship between inflation and food security indicators, such as availability, access, utilization, and stability of food supplies. By employing time-series data and econometric techniques, the model captures the dynamic interactions between inflation rates, food prices, and socioeconomic factors affecting food security. The model incorporates key variables, including consumer price index (CPI), food inflation, income levels, and unemployment rates, to analyze their collective impact on food security across different demographics. The findings indicate that rising inflation significantly correlates with higher food prices, disproportionately affecting low-income households and vulnerable populations. This relationship highlights the necessity of understanding inflation's broader implications on food accessibility, especially in regions where food security is already a pressing issue. Future research directions are proposed, focusing on policy interventions aimed at stabilizing food prices and enhancing food security. Potential strategies include price controls, subsidies for staple foods, and targeted social safety nets for low-income households. Additionally, the study suggests further examination of supply chain factors contributing to food price volatility, such as transportation costs and global market dynamics, which can exacerbate inflation's effects on food security. This research contributes to the literature on food security by providing empirical evidence of inflation's impact on food accessibility and identifying critical areas for policy intervention. By addressing the complex interplay between inflation and food security, stakeholders, including policymakers and food industry leaders, can develop informed strategies to mitigate adverse effects and promote food security in inflationary environments.

Perceived barriers and enablers for consuming a diverse diet in women residing in resource-poor communities in Cape Town, South Africa: a qualitative study

Background: Several studies have shown that South Africans consume a diet low in variety. Objective: To explore the barriers and enablers for consuming a diverse diet in resource-poor communities around Cape Town. Design: A qualitative study design was used. Data were collected from focus-group discussions (FGDs) conducted in Afrikaans, IsiXhosa, and English, using a semi-structured guide. Setting: Twelve community sites in Cape Town, South Africa. Subjects: Study participants were 24 Black and 21 Mixed-ancestry women (n = 45) with a mean age of 49.7 ± 7.8 years. Results: Fourteen FGDs were conducted with an average of three participants per FGD. Six themes were identified from the FGDs, which included nutrition knowledge, perceptions of dietary diversity and its impact on health, individual factors, and social, physical environment, and societal influences on food choices. Perceived barriers to consuming a diverse diet included financial constraints, high food prices, and family taste preferences. Perceived enablers identified were individual taste preferences, access to food stores, community food aid, and food-store specials. Proposed facilitators to achieving a diverse diet included budgeting, income-generation activities, lowering food prices, and increasing community food aid. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that financial constraints, high food prices, and social factors limit the ability of women from resource-poor communities to consume a diverse diet and make healthy food choices. Public health interventions aimed at promoting healthier food choices and reducing diet-related diseases should address financial barriers and the cost of food.

“We go hunting …”: Understanding experiences of people living with obesity and food insecurity when shopping for food in the supermarket to meet their weight related goals

The high prevalence of food insecurity in the United Kingdom has been exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis. In high-income countries, those experiencing food insecurity struggle to buy and consume foods that meet Government healthy eating recommendations, and are at increased risk of obesity, linked to poor diet quality. Individuals in high-income countries purchase most of their food to consume at home from supermarkets, making this an important context within which healthier and environmentally sustainable food purchasing should be supported. However, the lived experience of supermarket food purchasing in people living with obesity and food insecurity has not been explored in depth. Adults, living in England and Scotland, who self-identified as living with obesity and food insecurity and looking to reduce their weight, were recruited to take part in semi-structured interviews (n = 25) or focus groups (n = 8) to explore their experience of shopping for food in the supermarket. Using thematic analysis, four main themes were generated: 1) the Restricted Consumer; restrictions around the type of food purchased, where food can be purchased and the resulting emotional toll, 2) the Conscious Consumer; decision making and effortful practices both in preparation of and during the shopping trip, 3) Mitigating the Rising Cost of Food; agency and actions taken to mitigate high food prices, 4) Stigma; instances of perceived and/or experienced weight and poverty-related stigma and the physical actions and cognitive social comparisons used to minimise stigma. Findings provide insights for evidence-based policy on the need for upstream changes within the wider food system to address the social determinants of health and support people living with obesity and food insecurity to eat healthier and more sustainable diets.

Needs and perceptions regarding healthy eating among people at risk of food insecurity in the Netherlands

Abstract Background Healthy eating behaviour is an essential determinant of overall health. This behaviour is generally poor among people at risk of experiencing food insecurity, which may be caused by many factors including perceived higher costs of healthy foods, financial stress, inadequate nutritional knowledge, and inadequate skills required for healthy food preparation. Few studies have examined how these factors influence eating behaviour among people at risk of experiencing food insecurity. We therefore aimed to gain a better understanding of the needs and perceptions regarding healthy eating in this target group. Methods We conducted a qualitative exploration with 10 participants at risk of experiencing food insecurity in the Netherlands. Results and conclusions The analysis using an inductive approach identified four core factors influencing eating behaviour: Health related topics; Social and cultural influences; Influences by the physical environment; and Financial influences. Overall, participants showed adequate nutrition knowledge. However, eating behaviour was strongly influenced by social factors and physical environmental factors. Perceived barriers for healthy eating behaviour included poor mental health, financial stress, and high food prices. Participants had a generally conscious attitude towards their financial situation, reflected in their strategies to cope with a limited budget. Participants were familiar with several existing resources to reduce food-related financial strain and generally had a positive attitude towards these resources. An exception was the Food Bank, of which the food parcel content was not well appreciated. Proposed interventions to reduce food-related financial strain included facilitating social contacts, increasing healthy food supply in the neighbourhood, and lowering prices of healthy foods. The insights from this study increase understanding of factors influencing eating behaviour of people at risk of food insecurity.

Food security status of Zimbabwean immigrants living in Msunduzi municipality, South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic

The study aims to examine food security status of Zimbabwean immigrants living in Msundizi municipality, South Africa, during the COV-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study design using a mixed-methods approach was adopted to collect data from 379 randomly selected Zimbabwean immigrants. Food security status was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. Most immigrants were males (66%), 52.2% were 18–38 years old, and 91.4% were employed. Most respondents (51%) had a tertiary education, and 35.9% earned between R3001 and R4500. The majority of immigrants (75%) were food insecure. Food insecurity was perceived to be due to reduced/loss of employment, socio-political factors such as theft, insecurity/violence, political crisis, lack of land ownership, and high food prices. The age, immigration status, and type of employment were associated with food insecurity. Food insecurity is prevalent among Zimbabwean immigrants living in Msunduzi municipality. There is a need for targeted food security policies that are aimed at increasing availability and access to food among immigrants. The SA government should extend food safety nets to all, regardless of citizen status.

Access to kin, economic stress, and late-life mortality in North Orkney, Scotland, 1851–1911

This paper analyzes the effects of kin availability and short-term economic stress on mortality among older adults in North Orkney, Scotland in the mid-19th through early 20th century. The mortality of those aged 60+ is associated with high oatmeal prices lagged by one year, a delayed effect that may suggest that buffering mechanisms are less effective in the longer term or that relative to younger groups, older adults are better able to cope with the immediate effects of stress. Associations between mortality risk and indicators of kin availability vary by individual sociodemographic characteristics, but they are limited to close kin in both the spatial and genealogical sense. Benefits of nearby, but not coresident kin accrue only to ever-married men during times of high food prices. Coresident and nearby kin are associated with complex patterns of mortality risk, suggesting that family relationships may represent a resource in some circumstances, but a liability in others. There is limited evidence for the effects of expansive kin support for aging adults and support flows do not always favor the older generation.

Will the decrease in food availability affect food tourism? A historical and contemporary perspective: horizon 2050 article

Purpose This study aims to discuss the possible consequences of food crises caused by unsustainable food production and distribution, as well as how the rapid depletion of food resources may affect human life, destinations and the food tourism industry. Design/methodology/approach To address the lack of research examining the impact of sustainability issues and food crises on food tourism, this study conducted a critical review of the literature and reports related to agriculture, food production and sustainability. Findings Global conflicts, climate change and supply disruptions result in the reduction of food availability and quality. The high price of food and energy in such circumstances will further exacerbate poverty and delay destination development, which will negatively impact food tourism's economic sustainability. Furthermore, local businesses will be limited in their ability to offer a variety of culinary experiences, which will negatively impact the overall experience of food tourism. In this context, there is a pressing need to investigate the experiential aspects of food tourism as well as today's challenges relating to food crises at multiple levels, sustainable approaches, food quality and food services. Research limitations/implications The United Nations, FAO, WHO, UNICEF and other regional and international organizations refer to unsustainable practices and food crises on a variety of levels. Several sectors, including the food tourism industry, are predicted to be negatively affected by the current situation. However, governments have not adopted an emergency code to address this issue, except in some regions experiencing extreme inflation and food shortages. Besides promoting sustainable practices, responding to global crises and enhancing culinary and cultural tourism experiences, food crisis management and sustainability efforts can have a significant impact on future research, practical applications and societal outcomes. Originality/value As one of the first studies conducted in this field, this study examines the effects of declines in food production and issues in the supply chain on the food tourism industry.

Achieving food security: Household perception and adoption of home gardening techniques in Ghana

As global food crises and high food prices continue to impact communities, there is a growing focus on strengthening local food systems and improving livelihoods. Home gardening techniques have gained renewed attention as a means of food production and enhancing household food security. However, there is a lack of empirical studies on the perception and adoption of home gardening techniques. This study therefore fills this gap by examining the perception and adoption of home gardening techniques among households in Ghana. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 348 households and data was collected through a structured questionnaire. Using a 5-point Likert scale, we analyzed the households' perception of home gardening techniques, and utilized a multivariate probit regression model to examine the factors influencing multiple adoption of home gardening techniques. The Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used to test the level of agreement among ranked constraints in adopting home gardening techniques. The generalized Poisson regression was used to examine the number of adoption of home gardening techniques. The results revealed that most households perceived home gardening techniques as a way to improve household food security. Households were found to adopt multiple home gardening techniques, such as use of pots, sacks, and tires. Empirically, factors such as sex, education, occupation, income, technology cost, and social network had a significant influence on multiple adoption of home gardening techniques. Also, age, education, household size, income, technology cost, social network, inadequate space and insect and disease damages significantly influenced the number of adoptions of home gardening techniques. Furthermore, lack of time and inadequate space were the main constraints limiting the adoption of these techniques. We suggest government interventions to spur the adoption of home gardening techniques to improve household food nutrition.

The effect of output level and inflation on food security in Ethiopia: an empirical analysis using the ARDL framework

Ethiopia has experienced years of robust economic growth, with an average annual growth rate of 6%. However, the country continues to grapple with food insecurity, which is exacerbated by high food prices. The objective of this paper is to examine the effects of output level and inflation on Ethiopia's food security situation. The researchers utilized quarterly interpolated time-series data from the first quarter of 2005 to the fourth quarter of 2019. The data was analyzed using an autoregressive distributive lag framework for cointegration. The study's significant findings unequivocally demonstrate that a high output level has a positive effect on Ethiopia's food security situation in both the short and long terms, while showing a weak coefficient in the long run. However, unpredictable political contexts, rising food prices, and fluctuations in global pricing negatively affect this impact. The paper suggests that, alongside the level of output, sustaining improvements in Ethiopia's food security status necessitates enhancing production capacity, restoring stability, mitigating food price inflation, and strengthening disaster management.

Geo-sustainable Practices in Urban Agriculture: A Study of Sustainable Land Use and Natural Resource Conservation at Household Level

This study explores urban agriculture as a solution to food insecurity in Lahore, Pakistan, amid rapid urbanization and declining agricultural productivity. Using a mixed methods approach, the research assesses the current state of urban agriculture, community willingness to adopt such practices, and the factors influencing this adoption. Data was collected from households in Johar Town and Faisal Town through surveys, complemented by a literature review of global urban agriculture policies. The findings reveal limited practice of urban agriculture but significant willingness among residents, driven by factors such as self-reliance, high food prices, and health concerns. However, barriers like lack of access to land, guidance, and time hinder widespread adoption. The socio-economic profile of respondents indicates varied interest and awareness based on age, income, and household size. The study emphasizes the need for policies promoting urban agriculture, including community gardens, vertical farms, and wastewater reuse. Educational campaigns and professional training are essential to raise awareness and build skills among urban dwellers. The research concludes that urban agriculture can enhance food security and sustainability in Lahore with robust policy support and community engagement. Future research should expand the study area, use more nuanced data collection methods, and explore the economic viability of urban agriculture initiatives. Such efforts aim to advance urban agriculture practices and policies in Lahore, making the city more self-sufficient and resilient in food production.

Examining cost and affordability of nutrient adequate diets alongside a novel combined market score derived from Fill the Nutrient Gap food price data in the west Sahel

Extensive food price data collected for three Fill the Nutrient Gap nutrition situation analyses were used to calculate two metrics – cost and affordability of nutrient-adequate diets – to assess food and nutrition security at subnational level in the late-dry season and beginning of the dry season in Mauritania. A unique market scoring classification was derived using retail food price data collected in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Mauritania to assess on food price and food assortment (availability) across markets in the three countries. Diet cost and affordability was examined alongside three structural drivers of food insecurity – rainfall, infrastructure (roads) and conflict – to understand how they may have influenced nutritious food prices, diversity and non-affordability during the late-dry season during the period of analysis. Results showed that more diverse low-cost markets and lower non-affordability of nutrient-adequate diets were observed in Burkina Faso's well-connected agricultural areas experiencing no conflict, while limited higher-cost markets were observed in central pastoral areas of Mauritania, and pastoral, agropastoral and some agricultural areas experiencing conflict in Burkina Faso and Mali. In agricultural Mali, despite having diverse low-cost markets, low nutrient-adequate diet cost, sufficient rainfall, seemingly well-connected road networks, these combined factors did not guarantee nutrient-adequate diet affordability, highlighting economic barriers faced by households. Regions affected by both harsh climatic conditions and conflict are at higher risk of high food prices and non-affordability.

ДІЯЛЬНІСТЬ ТНК В УКРАЇНІ В УМОВАХ ВІЙНИ

The essence of the concept of “transnational corporation” as a form of interna- tional entrepreneurship is defined in the paper. It is determined that the main cata- lyst of accelerated economic growth are international investments involving by TNCs. However, global FDI has been negatively affected by the war in Ukraine, high food and energy prices, as well as recession risks and debt pressures in many countries. In 2022 global FDI flows decreased by 12 %, to the level of $1.3 trillion according to the World Investment Report 2023. The peculiarities of the TNCs activity on the ukrainian market in the conditions of the war were studied in the paper. It was determined that, despite the war, Ukraine attracts significant invest- ments from TNCs, although their activity is “slowed down” due to the war on the territory of the country. TNCs operating in Ukraine during the war have been systematized: ArcelorMittal – a metallurgical company (Luxembourg), in 2022 invested $120 million in ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih; Onur Group (Turkey) invests in the mining of graphite ore in the Khmelnytskyi region; Bayer (Germany), in 2023, announced its readiness to invest 35 million euros in a seed plant in Zhyto- myr region; Henkel (Germany) invested 60,000 euros in 2023 in the moderniza- tion of equipment and digitalization of production processes at the company’s Vyshgorod plant; Kingspan Group (Ireland), a world leader in the production of high-tech energy-efficient building materials, is starting an investment project worth $280 million in Lviv region; Fixit (Germany), a manufacturer of building materials, despite the war, is building a second factory in Ukraine in Lviv; Nestlé (Switzerland), at the end of 2022, started construction of a new plant in Smoligov (Volyn region); Philip Morris (USA), a tobacco company, invests more than $30 million in the launch of a new production in the Lviv region, etc. The Govern- ment of Ukraine has developed a recovery plan that will promote the attraction of FDI and guarantee their return to investors, which should have a positive effect on the post-war recovery of our country. Prospective areas of TNCs activity in Ukraine in the conditions of war and post-war recovery are given in the paper, in particular: recovery of logistics after the blockade of Ukrainian ports; cheap lending and debt restructuring (for domestic companies); attraction of FDI; re- ceiving funds from the aggressor country; refund of VAT to exporters, etc.

Enduring Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Access, Nutrition, and Well-Being in Rural Appalachia.

The COVID-19 pandemic produced acute effects on health inequities, yet more enduring impacts in vulnerable populations in rural Appalachia are understudied. This qualitative study included three focus groups with thirty-nine adults (74% female, mean age 52.7 years) to obtain perspectives on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being in Martin County, Kentucky, in fall 2022. Grounded Theory was employed using an iterative inductive-deductive approach to capture the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on health practices and status. Three prominent themes emerged: (1) increased social isolation; (2) household cost of living strains caused by inflation; and (3) higher food prices and diminished food availability causing shifts in food purchasing and consumption. Participants noted that the rising cost of living resulted in residents having to "choose between medication, food and utilities". Increased food prices resulted in residents "stretching" their food, modifying how they grocery shopped, and limiting meat consumption. Persistent food shortages were exacerbated by there being few grocery stores in the county. Lastly, increased social isolation was profoundly articulated as widely impacting mental health, especially among youth. Our findings underscore the ongoing deleterious effects of inflation and food supply chain disruptions in this rural, geographically isolated community, which resulted in difficult spending choices for residents.

Household food security status and its associated factors among pensioners in Arba Minch town, South Ethiopia.

Food insecurity has remained a serious public health problem in developing countries, such as Ethiopia, over the past two decades. Vulnerable populations, such as pensioners, have been affected by this problem because of emerging socio-demographic changes, a global financial crisis, and climate change, all of which have contributed to the high food prices. Hence, this study aimed to assess household food security status and associated factors among pensioners in Arba Minch town, South Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from September to October 2023. Two hundred forty-four pensioners were chosen using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected, cleaned, and entered into EPI-Data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Variables with a p-value of ≤0.25 in the bivariate analyses were candidates for the multivariable regression analysis. In the multivariable logistic regression, variables with a p-value of 0.05 were considered to have a significant association with the dependent variable. A total of 238 retired people were interviewed, with a response rate of 97.5%. Among the interviewed pensioners, 223 (91.4%) households were food insecure. Having more than one dependent member [AOR = 2.4, 95% C.I: 1.30, 6.64], being jobless after retirement [AOR = 3, 95% C.I:1.17, 5.61], and being in the lowest tertile of wealth status [AOR = 2, 95% C.I:1.36, 4.99] were identified as predictors of food insecurity. The magnitude of household food insecurity was higher compared to the national average, and factors such as the current occupational status of the household head, dependency ratio, and wealth status of the household were significantly associated with household food insecurity. Therefore, policymakers and programmers should provide new strategies focusing on additional income-generating activities and salary increments and consider free services such as school fees and healthcare.

The influence of food prices on what we purchase, prepare and eat. Survey results and implications for the Heart Foundation’s work

Healthy eating is a struggle for many families in New Zealand when they cannot adequately afford food. Statistics New Zealand has shown that the food price index rose 12.5 percent over the past year with an increase of 22 percent for fruit and vegetables prices(1). Food prices now rate as the number one concern for New Zealanders(2). To understand the changes households are making in response to increasing food prices 109 main household shoppers were surveyed. The survey was administered via Qualtrics in May/June 2023. Participants were recruited via social media and by direct email from researchers and Heart Foundation staff. Survey participants were asked about food prices, shopping behaviours and changes within specific food categories. Two thirds of the participants were female. The predominant age groups were 20-29 years (29%) and 60 and above (28%). The major ethnicities were European (53%), Pasifika (20%) and Māori (8%). Around 46% of people lived in Auckland with the next highest area being Nelson (and wider Tasman). The results showed 85% of participants expected food prices to get worse over the next year. To manage rising food prices 70% people had changed where they shopped or how they accessed food, 90% changed what they buy and 67% had changed the way they eat (e.g., cooking more at home). The most substantial changes were in the fruit and vegetable category where people changed the types purchased (73%) and purchased less (63%). In many food categories buying cheaper brands, in bulk and when foods were on special were common responses. Rationing or going without was a consistent theme highlighted with meat/poultry, eggs, fish, alcohol and more expensive snack foods. The implications for the Heart Foundation’s work include (1) reinforcing the importance of fruits and vegetables in the diet and to provide tips and tools around ingredient substitution, (2) promote alternative protein sources (e.g., beans and legumes) as an affordable ingredient and recipes to support their use and (3) supporting companies to improve the composition of cheaper brands through food reformulation. With this being a small sample size, it may not be fully generalisable to the entire population however given the survey found a high percentage of people making changes it does indicate the important role health agencies can play providing information, and advice to support people to manage high food prices.

Food safety and dietary diversity in African urban cities: evidence from Ghana

BackgroundFood safety is integral to food security and is increasingly becoming a significant concern in the urban areas of Africa, which are rapidly growing in population. In the case of Ghana, many urban households depend on traditional open-air markets for most of their food needs. However, these urban food markets also depend on domestic food supply chains, which are prone to risks, including poor hygiene and sanitation and weather seasonality. Food safety compliance has associated costs which increase the unit cost of food products. Thus, higher food price is a risk factor to food availability and accessibility—fundamental pillars of food security.MethodWe use food microbial data and food retail data from food market surveys in major cities in Ghana to assess the safety of selected fresh food commodities and how retailers handle the food products they sell. Additionally, based on a two-wave balanced panel household data, we used fixed effects Poisson and Correlated Random Effects (CRE) Probit models to estimate the effect of weather seasonality on the incidence of diarrhoea and urban household dietary diversity score (HDDS). A final sample of 609 households and 565 market respondents participated in the study.ResultsOur findings show that selected food samples tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus and E.coli and had aflatoxin B1 levels above 5.0 ppb. Additionally, the household incidence of diarrhoea/vomiting, a proxy for food safety status, is higher in the dry season. In the dry season, the household incidence of diarrhoea/vomiting increases on average by a probability of 38% points compared to the rainy season. Regarding HDDS, the average HDDS is 7.3; however, we did not find the effect of seasonality on HDDS to be significant.ConclusionsAlthough urban food availability and household dietary diversity are not challenges for many urban households, food safety is a challenge in the major food markets in Ghanaian cities and is associated with weather seasonality. Foods available in traditional open-air markets are not always safe for consumption, undermining households’ food security. Weak enforcement of food safety regulations contributes to the food safety challenges in Ghanaian urban food markets.

Land competition and welfare effects from Mexico's proposal to ban genetically engineered corn

AbstractSince joining the North American Free Trade Agreement, Mexico has increased its meat production and exports and become more dependent on imported feedstuffs such as genetically engineered (GE) corn. Mexico recently banned the use of GE corn in corn‐based foods and called for a gradual substitution away from the use of GE corn for other uses (e.g., feed). This paper considers how a complete ban on GE corn might affect Mexican households using a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to simulate the impact over the medium run (5 years). Results indicate that Mexico decreases corn imports by 76.9% and increases corn production by 65.6%—an increase that would require 3.3 million hectares more land for corn. The policy leads to a 24.8% increase in Mexico's corn price and up to a 6% increase in the prices of other agricultural products. But Mexico might have difficulty shifting land to corn; as such, we consider an alternative scenario that restricts land movements. We find that impacts are further exacerbated in this scenario—for example, corn prices triple. Our final contribution is to pair these results with a compensating variation calculation based on the almost ideal demand system. We find that Mexican households would need to spend, on average, between 6.7 and 13.9% more on food, depending on the scenario, to compensate for the resulting price escalations. Ultimately, our results show that a move toward greater food sovereignty in Mexico is ultimately borne by consumers via higher food prices.

Nutrient adequacy for poor households in Africa would improve with higher income but not necessarily with lower food prices

Healthy diets are not affordable to all in Africa due to a combination of high food prices and low incomes. However, how African consumers might change demand patterns if prices or incomes were to change remains poorly understood. Using nationally representative household panel survey data from five sub-Saharan African countries, we model consumer preferences and examine how nutrient intake responds to changing food prices, total expenditures and other demand determinants. Here we find a stronger positive relationship between growth in poor consumers’ total expenditures and their nutrient intake adequacy than has been previously documented. We also find that poor consumers’ intake adequacy is especially sensitive to food staple prices in countries where one food staple dominates poor consumers’ diets. In countries with multiple food staples, no single staple’s price is a strong determinant of poor consumers’ dietary intake adequacy.