Commodities1

1
International commodity policyA short history
2
Structure of presentation

• Intervention
• Disengagement
• Facilitation?

3
Stage 1 Intervention-1985

• Price stabilization through International
  Commodity Agreements (ICAs) with buffer stocks
  and export quotas
• Producers organizations
• Strategic stocks in importing countries
• Subsidies to producers in importing countries
• Stabilization of export income

4
Stage 2 Disengagement1985-2000

• Study groups
• Deregulation
• Dismantling of marketing boards
• End to economic provisions in ICAs
• Producers organizations closed down
• Common Fund for Commodities
• Export income stabilization schemes abandoned
• Last bastion of regulation agriculture in
  developed countries

5
Stage 3 Facilitation?2000-

• An end to agricultural protectionism?
• Improved marketing and financing systems, also
  for small producers