Nexus between food security and trade in the run-up to the World Food Systems Summit

The document analyzes the conflict between trade liberalisation, supported by developed nations, and food sovereignty, advocated by developing nations. It argues that while trade can increase food availability, it often sidelines smallholder farmers and creates dependencies. The author recommends that the G20 synchronise domestic policies and implement the 2008 L’Aquila Food Security Initiative (AFSI) to support local food systems. For the UN World Food Systems Summit, the brief suggests creating a framework for private sector participation and transforming food systems to be more inclusive and sustainable, particularly in the wake of COVID-19 and the US-China trade war.

• There is a fundamental divide in global food trade paradigms: developed countries generally view food trade as a commercial concern and advocate for liberalisation, whereas developing countries view it as a security issue and advocate for food sovereignty and protectionism.
• Trade liberalisation is compromised by the dominance of a few transnational corporations; for instance, four firms control approximately 70% of the global grain market, which creates structural deficiencies and diverts profits away from host farmers.
• The G20 possesses significant influence over the global food system, as its members account for roughly 80% of agricultural product trade, 77% of global cereal production, and 65% of the world's agricultural land.
• The 2008 L’Aquila Food Security Initiative (AFSI) remains unsupported by action twelve years later, despite its potential to increase farmer incomes, lower food costs, and address food sovereignty concerns.
• The G20's ability to influence international food trade is currently hindered by a lack of harmony in domestic policies regarding climate change, biofuels, food aid, and agricultural subsidies.
• While global food availability grew by 19% annually between 1960 and 1994–96, this growth slowed to 12% after 2015 due to factors including climate change, natural disasters, and conflicts.
• The COVID-19 pandemic and the trade war between the US and China have pushed some developed economies toward protectionism, threatening the food security of import-dependent countries.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2020). Nexus between food security and trade in the run-up to the World Food Systems Summit. https://saiia.org.za/research/nexus-between-food-security-and-trade-in-the-run-up-to-the-world-food-systems-summit/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Nexus between food security and trade in the run-up to the World Food Systems Summit. 2020. https://saiia.org.za/research/nexus-between-food-security-and-trade-in-the-run-up-to-the-world-food-systems-summit/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Nexus between food security and trade in the run-up to the World Food Systems Summit |date=18 November 2020 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/nexus-between-food-security-and-trade-in-the-run-up-to-the-world-food-systems-summit/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2020nexus, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Nexus between food security and trade in the run-up to the World Food Systems Summit}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2020}, month = nov, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/nexus-between-food-security-and-trade-in-the-run-up-to-the-world-food-systems-summit/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }