ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL4.SIT/2023/WP.10
Country: Arab region
Publication Type: Working papers
Cluster: Statistics, Information Society and Technology
Focus Area: Statistics
Initiatives: Economic Statistics and National Accounts
SDGs: Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Keywords: Food prices, Price and quantity statistics, Inflation, Food security, Poverty, Food supply, Economic crisis, Health, Costs, Budgetary policy, Lebanon, Syrian arab republic, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Kuwait, Arab countries
Beyond the budget: investigating food accessibility, affordability and nutrition amid the food price crisis in the Arab region
December 2023
The present paper delves into the unprecedented surge in food prices in the Arab region, driven by a combination of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine. It primarily focuses on critical aspects concerning food affordability, accessibility and nutrition amid the surge in prices, all of which hold immense significance in the context of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2). The paper reveals that numerous Arab countries experienced significant spikes in food prices between 2019 and 2023, with Lebanon recording the most substantial increase. The situation raises concerns about the affordability of essential food items and the growing number of people potentially falling below the poverty line. The paper also highlights the considerable challenges in promoting good nutrition due to the notably higher costs associated with healthy diets in comparison to energy-based ones.
To address this issue, the paper introduces the concept of a least-cost healthy food basket as a potential solution to balance nutrition and affordability. It also discusses the potential cost-related challenges associated with shifting from energy-based diets to healthier ones, underlying the need for targeted policy measures to facilitate this transition. The paper underscores the significance of implementing a comprehensive government strategy to tackle rising food inflation, reduce food waste and ensure access to nutritious food for all. It emphasizes the need for Governments to prioritize proper nutrition as a fundamental component of their efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition, aligning with the overarching ambitions of SDG 2.
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The present paper delves into the unprecedented surge in food prices in the Arab region, driven by a combination of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine. It primarily focuses on critical aspects concerning food affordability, accessibility and nutrition amid the surge in prices, all of which hold immense significance in the context of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2). The paper reveals that numerous Arab countries experienced significant spikes in food prices between 2019 and 2023, with Lebanon recording the most substantial increase. The situation raises concerns about the affordability of essential food items and the growing number of people potentially falling below the poverty line. The paper also highlights the considerable challenges in promoting good nutrition due to the notably higher costs associated with healthy diets in comparison to energy-based ones.
To address this issue, the paper introduces the concept of a least-cost healthy food basket as a potential solution to balance nutrition and affordability. It also discusses the potential cost-related challenges associated with shifting from energy-based diets to healthier ones, underlying the need for targeted policy measures to facilitate this transition. The paper underscores the significance of implementing a comprehensive government strategy to tackle rising food inflation, reduce food waste and ensure access to nutritious food for all. It emphasizes the need for Governments to prioritize proper nutrition as a fundamental component of their efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition, aligning with the overarching ambitions of SDG 2.
