Global food price increases and repercussions on Africa : which public policy interventions are really appropriate?

In this contribution the impacts of the global food price increases of 2010/2011 on Africa are assessed. The impacts are severe, but there are differences with regard of country groupings, social groups and sub-regions. The various impacts have to be studied carefully as these do not affect only the macro-economy and the poor people, but also the development options and the long-term development perspectives of Africa. However, definitions and classifications have to be clarified first to understand the transmission effects and the poverty impacts of the global food price increases. It has to be made clear which food items, which African countries and which country groupings are affected by the price increases on the world market. Fragile and conflict countries, food insecure countries and oil exporting countries are affected most by the global price increases of food products and especially of staple crops. But also the poor in net food exporting countries may suffer.