Russia worries about food prices amid harvest plenty

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Food Availability ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Import Quota ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Safety Concerns ◽  
Export Restrictions ◽  
Domestic Prices ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Western Nations

Significance Last year brought yet another large grain harvest and other farming sectors including meat and dairy performed well. However, a second year of export restrictions on wheat reflects political worries about managing domestic prices, not actual food availability. Impacts As expected, Russia has renewed its food embargo against Western nations to the end of 2021. A Russian ban on certain produce from Uzbekistan, later reversed, may reflect political friction more than safety concerns. To offset the loss of Uzbek tomatoes, Russia has increased its import quota for Turkey by 25%.

Chinese demand will drive Brazil beef price rises

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Exchange Rate ◽  
Sharp Increase ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Domestic Consumption ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pork Production ◽  
Domestic Prices ◽  
Beef Prices ◽  
Exchange Rate Depreciation

Significance From late October to late November 2019, beef prices in Brazil increased, on average, by 35%, with the price of fattened cattle reaching over 230 reais (approximately 55 dollars) per 15 kilograms at the peak. Much of the sharp increase was due to rising Chinese demand for Brazilian beef after an African swine fever epidemic reduced Chinese pork production by over 30%. Exchange rate depreciation, domestic consumption and supply constraints have also contributed to lift domestic prices. Impacts Chinese efforts to reduce prices may hit beef exporters who have invested in infrastructure to meet Chinese demand. There is no risk of a beef shortage in Brazil, but prices are likely to remain high at least temporarily. Consumer shifts to alternative meats could also boost a range of food prices, hitting purchasing power.

Returns and volatility spillover between food prices and exchange rate in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-325
Author(s):  
Lateef Olawale Akanni
Keyword(s):  
Exchange Rate ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Volatility Spillover ◽  
Dollar Exchange Rate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Volatility Transmission ◽  
Domestic Prices ◽  
Domestic Food

PurposeEmpirical studies have documented the linkage between exchange rate movement and food prices. However, the purpose of this study is to investigate the degree and direction of returns and volatility spillover transmission between exchange rate and domestic food prices in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses weekly data from January 2010 to January 2019. Also, the study adopts the improved Diebold and Yilmaz (2012) approach to evaluate the return and volatility spillover between food price and naira to dollar exchange rate. The study also account for 2016 exchange rate crash in the interconnectedness between food prices and naira to dollar exchange rate.FindingsThe paper finds evidence of directional interdependence among the considered food prices and exchange rate based on the obtained spillover indexes. In addition, exchange rate returns and volatility transmission to food prices is more than it receives, particularly after the exchange rate crash.Research limitations/implicationsThe high consumption of staple foods requires policies on price stabilisation such as massive investment in local production and reduction in import dependence, in order to cushion the effects of exchange rate depreciation on domestic prices of food.Originality/valueThis study is the first empirical study to investigate the interconnectedness between exchange rate and domestic food prices for a food import–dependent developing country using the Diebold and Yilmaz approach.

Availability, access and utilization

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Botti Abbade
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Availability ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Food Utilization ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Logistics Performance Index

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the association between the levels of food utilization (FU), food availability, economic access (EA) and physical access (PA) to food in developing countries – the main dimensions underlying the concept of food security. Design/methodology/approach This study analyzed available data from 57 developing countries. The variables investigated were: food availability (FA), EA to food measured through economic development, PA to food using the Logistics Performance Index as a proxy, and FU. The paper uses factorial, correlation and cluster analyses. Findings The results show that the dimensions of food security are strongly and positively correlated. PA has a moderate association with FU (ρS=0.5338 [p<0.001]; ρP=0.4252; [p<0.01]). EA has a strong association with FU (ρS=0.6998 [p<0.001]; ρP=0.6404; [p<0.01]). Moreover, cluster analysis suggests that some countries present significant urgencies regarding some of the food security dimensions considered. Research limitations/implications Cluster analysis has some limitations regarding the interpretations of the key findings. Moreover, many factors affect food security promotion; this paper addresses just a few of them. Practical implications Through a better alignment of food security dimensions worldwide, policy makers, as well as private sector actors, might achieve better conditions to reduce food waste or loss, supply a wider diversity of foods, reduce adverse environmental impacts, reduce logistics costs and, finally, reduce food prices. Originality/value This study outlines specific fragilities regarding the main dimensions of food security in developing economies. Thus, this study highlights that some countries need to focus urgently on certain, specific dimensions in order to promote the food security for their populaces.

The role of food processing and appropriate storage technologies in ensuring food security and food availability in Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Ayofemi Olalekan Adeyeye
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Availability ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Food Storage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The People ◽  
Storage Technologies

Purpose This paper aims to review scientific contributions that are essential to reduce the challenges to food security in Africa through food processing and appropriate storage technologies. Design/methodology/approach Several literature studies on the role of food processing and appropriate storage technologies in ensuring food security and food availability in Africa were critically reviewed. Findings The study revealed that the world faces multiple challenges to food security including under nutrition and overconsumption, rising food prices, population growth, rapid diet transitions, threats to agricultural production, inefficient production practices and supply chains and declining investment in food system research. Many people lack adequate amounts of foods that are rich in the nutrients needed for a healthy and productive life. According to FAO, 1996, chronic undernutrition affects 43 per cent of the Africa’s population or some 215 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Food security is highly instrumental to the economic growth and sustainability of any country. The use of simple but effective on- and off-farm storage facilities and agro-processing technology should be promoted to add value to products and increase their shelf-life. The Strategic Grain Reserve Scheme should be modernized, strengthened and upgraded to a National Food Reserve Program, which will enable it to handle all staples and essential food products. This will help in attainment of national food security goal. It is also crucial to promote and develop agro-processing in the various African countries for the evolution of virile agro-allied industries and rural micro-enterprises. Research limitations/implications The paper reviewed the role of food processing and appropriate food storage technologies in ensuring food security and availability in Africa. There are insufficient data and information on adoption of new food processing and appropriate storage technologies in Africa. Although, there have been some instances where the introduction of modern techniques has resulted in products rejection by consumers. Practical implications The paper helps in reviewing food situation in Africa and how to make food available for the people and Africa food secured. Social implications This paper revealed strategies that could be used to improve food security and ensuring food availability in Africa. Originality/value This review paper is of value to policymakers, government agencies responsible for food quality control and assurance and consumers to make food available and affordable for the people.

Higher tax to replace Russia's metal export duty

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Income Tax ◽  
Corporate Income Tax ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Export Duty ◽  
Eurasian Economic Union ◽  
Domestic Prices ◽  
Economic Union ◽  
The Government

Significance Officials are trying to correct high domestic prices which they see as unjustified, and to claw back what they regard as excessive profits earned by metals companies. Impacts Export duties could exert upward pressure on global prices of steel, nickel and aluminium. Exports to the Eurasian Economic Union are exempt, so the government will need a failsafe system to prevent re-exports to third countries. The export duties will reduce the corporate income tax earned by metal-producing regions.

Food choice motivations among Ardabil – Iran adults?

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahsa Mohajeri ◽  
Shiva Hoojeghani ◽  
Azimeh Izadi ◽  
Mohammad Ghahremanzadeh ◽  
Farhad Pourfarzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Food Choice ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Food Price ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results

Purpose This study aims to investigate the food choice motivations and some healthy food intake among Ardabil adults with different socioeconomic status. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on a focus group study conducted in September 2018. Self-assessed other food choice motivations, healthy food intake and socioeconomic status were reported in questionnaires. The study data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA test and χ2 test in groups of study. Findings Price was a primary motivation of food choice for low-level socioeconomic status persons. The wealthiest people total vegetable consumption was 3.59Â ± 0.004 serving/day, whereas the total vegetable consumption of poorest participants was significantly less than them (p = 0.012). Of the socioeconomics category 1 (SEC1) group participants, 82 per cent said that they consider food price when they were purchasing for their households, while only 28 per cent of SEC4 group said that they consider food prices when food choosing. Only 1 per cent of this group participants pay attention to food label when they choose foods. Originality/value This is the first study that investigated the food choice motivations in Ardabil adults. The results indicated that food price is the most critical food choice motivation. Based on this study results, the food policymaker can change people food security and food choices with some programs like as healthy food subsidies and unhealthy food taxes.

Can food production diversity influence farm households’ dietary diversity? An appraisal from two-dimensional food diversity measures

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (12) ◽  
pp. 1597-1608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dare Akerele ◽  
Adebayo Musediku Shittu
Keyword(s):  
Panel Data ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Farm Production ◽  
Food Diversity ◽  
Production Diversity

Purpose Emphasis on the potential roles diverse farm production systems could play in enhancing food consumption variety and nutritional well-being in rural developing countries has increased in recent times. However, there are paucities of empirical works connecting diversity in agricultural production and dietary diversity in Africa, and Nigeria in particular. The purpose of this paper is to, therefore, examine, among others, the causal link between farm production diversity and consumption of varied diets among farm households in Nigeria using a nationally representative panel data. Design/methodology/approach Unlike the simple food count measure, the authors adopt two-dimensional indices to assess food diversity, and estimated both fixed and random effects versions of panel data econometrics models with the two-dimensional indices as regressands. Findings Results show that food production system is less diverse with an average farm household consuming fairly varied foods across seasons. All the econometrics models estimated consistently established positive and statistically significant influence of farm production diversity on household dietary diversity. Higher food prices, especially rice and roots and tubers could substantially reduce dietary diversity with the negative effects likely to be more devastating for low-income farm households. The specificity of household being a net food seller had positive, although weak influence on dietary diversity. Originality/value The findings accentuate, among others, the need for strategies to promote farm production diversity, transform farm households to net-sellers of foods and enable them take advantage of food price signals to boost farm incomes as important pathway for diet quality improvement and reduction of food insecurity, malnutrition and related diseases in rural Nigeria

scholarly journals Modeling of student academic achievement in engineering education using cognitive and non-cognitive factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bothaina A. Al-Sheeb ◽  
A.M. Hamouda ◽  
Galal M. Abdella
Keyword(s):  
Student Success ◽  
Student Performance ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Comprehensive Approach ◽  
First Year ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Second Year

Purpose The retention and success of engineering undergraduates are increasing concern for higher-education institutions. The study of success determinants are initial steps in any remedial initiative targeted to enhance student success and prevent any immature withdrawals. This study provides a comprehensive approach toward the prediction of student academic performance through the lens of the knowledge, attitudes and behavioral skills (KAB) model. The purpose of this paper is to aim to improve the modeling accuracy of students’ performance by introducing two methodologies based on variable selection and dimensionality reduction. Design/methodology/approach The performance of the proposed methodologies was evaluated using a real data set of ten critical-to-success factors on both attitude and skill-related behaviors of 320 first-year students. The study used two models. In the first model, exploratory factor analysis is used. The second model uses regression model selection. Ridge regression is used as a second step in each model. The efficiency of each model is discussed in the Results section of this paper. Findings The two methods were powerful in providing small mean-squared errors and hence, in improving the prediction of student performance. The results show that the quality of both methods is sensitive to the size of the reduced model and to the magnitude of the penalization parameter. Research limitations/implications First, the survey could have been conducted in two parts; students needed more time than expected to complete it. Second, if the study is to be carried out for second-year students, grades of general engineering courses can be included in the model for better estimation of students’ grade point averages. Third, the study only applies to first-year and second-year students because factors covered are those that are essential for students’ survival through the first few years of study. Practical implications The study proposes that vulnerable students could be identified as early as possible in the academic year. These students could be encouraged to engage more in their learning process. Carrying out such measurement at the beginning of the college year can provide professional and college administration with valuable insight on students perception of their own skills and attitudes toward engineering. Originality/value This study employs the KAB model as a comprehensive approach to the study of success predictors. The implementation of two new methodologies to improve the prediction accuracy of student success.

Gesture–speech combinations and early verbal abilities

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micaela Capobianco ◽  
Elena Antinoro Pizzuto ◽  
Antonella Devescovi
Keyword(s):  
Language Development ◽  
Early Language ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Verbal Abilities ◽  
Developmental Trends ◽  
Verbal Skills ◽  
Spontaneous Production ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Italian Children

This study provides new longitudinal evidence on two major types of gesture–speech combination that play different roles in children’s early language. We analysed the spontaneous production of 10 Italian children observed monthly from 10–12 to 23–25 months of age. We evaluated the extent to which the developmental trends observed in children’s early gesture–word and word–word productions can predict subsequent verbal abilities. The results indicate that “complementary” and “supplementary” gesture–speech combinations predict subsequent language development in a different manner: While the onset of “supplementary” combinations predicts the onset of two-word combinations, the use of “complementary” combinations at 12 and 18 months predicts the vocabulary and the ability to produce more words utterances at 2 years of age. Moreover, the results suggest that both “complementary” and “supplementary” crossmodal combinations are good predictive indexes of early verbal skills during the second year of age.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document