Cereals Trade Patterns In The Sadcc Region

Abstract

The general objectives of the research project are as follows: 1. To describe current and historical .patterns of agricultural trade: within the SADCC region; between SADCC countries and South Africa; and between SADCC countries and the rest of the world, with particular emphasis on food grains, and farm inputs such as fertilizer, seed, and machinery; 2. To determine the extent to which an economic basis for trade exists within the SADCC region, given current prices and transportation costs; 3. To evaluate alternative domestic agricultural and macro-economic policies which have impacts on trade and food security; 4. To identify present constraints to expanded trade in commodities relevant to food security (both intra-regionally and internationally), focusing on transactions costs and risk; 5. To analyze the potential for a number of policies and programs to expand trade in agricultural commodities and-inputs, thereby improving food security in the SADCC region.