Agricultural Distortions Publications

Anderson, K. (ed.), Distortions to Agricultural Incentives: A Global Perspective, 1955 to 2007, London: Palgrave Macmillan and Washington DC: World Bank, October 2009

ISBN: 0-8213-7665-9    ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7665-2     SKU: 17665

 The fifth volume in the Distortons to Agricultural Incentives series summarizes the findings of the preceding four regional volumes plus four new studies of distortionary policies in high-income countries since the 1950s.

"The international agricultural economy is bewilderingly complex, and an up-to-date study of economic policies and their effects has been sorely needed. Kym Anderson has done a remarkable job of leading such a huge ambitious study. This volume provides the synthesis and will serve as the standard reference for years to come, documenting the impacts of current policies toward agriculture and analyzing changes over the past several decades. With increasing concerns about global food supplies, it should be required reading for academics and policy makers seeking to understand the current structure of the international food economy and considering policy alternatives."   Anne O. Krueger, Professor, Johns Hopkins University and former First Deputy Managing Director, Internationl Monetary Fund.

"This book provides absolutely unique information on agricultural policies around the world, in an internationally comparable manner. It will serve a whole generation of analysts and policy makers with a benchmark against which to assess the pursuit of future policies in world agriculture."   Stefan Tangermann, Emeritus Professor, University of Gottingen and former OECD Director for Trade and Agriculture. 

Anderson, K. and W.A. Masters (eds.), Distortions to Agricultural Incentives in Africa, Washington DC: World Bank, March 2009

ISBN: 0-8213-7652-7    ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7652-2     SKU: 17652

This volume provides analytical narratives for scores of countries that shed light on the evolving nature and extent of policy interventions over the past half-century. This title provides an overview of the evolution of distortions to agricultural incentives caused by price and trade policies in the Arab Republic of Egypt plus 20 countries of Sub-Saharan Africa which account for about 90 percent of that region's population, farm households, agricultural output, and overall GDP. Sectoral, trade, and exchange rate policies in the region have changed greatly since the 1950s, and there have been substantial reforms since the 1980s. Nonetheless, numerous price distortions in this region remain and others have been added in recent years; and there has been some backsliding also, such as in Zimbabwe. The new empirical indicators in these country studies provide a strong evidence-based foundation for assessing the successes and failures of the past and for evaluating policy options for boosting economic growth and reducing income inequality and poverty.

Anderson, K. and W. Martin (eds.), Distortions to Agricultural Incentives in Asia, Washington DC: World Bank, February 2009

ISBN: 0-8213-7662-4    ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7662-1     SKU: 17662

This book provides an overview of the evolution of distortions to agricultural incentives caused by price and trade policies in the 12 largest economies of East and South Asia. Together these countries constitute more than 95 percent of the region's population, agricultural output, and overall GDP. Sectoral, trade, and exchange rate policies in the region have changed greatly since the 1950s, and there have been substantial reforms since the 1980s, most notably in China and India. Nonetheless, numerous price distortions in this region remain and others have been added in recent years. The empirical indicators in these country studies provide a strong evidence-based foundation for assessing the successes and failures of the past and for evaluating likely and future policy trends.

Anderson, K. and A. Valdés(eds.), Distortions to Agricultural Incentives in Latin America, Washington DC: World Bank, October 2008

Paperback, 450 pages 6 x 9 ISBN: 0-8213-7513-X     ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7513-6

This book provides an overview of the evolution of distortions to agricultural incentives caused by price and trade policies in five economies of South America plus the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Mexico. Together these countries comprise about 80 percent of the region's population, agricultural output, and overall GDP. The country chapters assess the successes and failures of the past and evaluate policy options for the years ahead.

Anderson, K. and J. Swinnen (eds.), Distortions to Agricultural Incentives in Europes Transition Economies, Washington DC: World Bank, June 2008

Paperback, 400 pages 6 x 9 ISBN: 0-8213-7419-2  ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7419-1  SKU: 17419

This book provides an overview of the evolution of distortions to agricultural incentives caused by price and trade policies in the economies of Central and Eastern Europe (including the ten that recently joined the European Union), Russia, and Central Asia that are transitioning away from central planning. Together these countries comprise over 90 percent of the ECA region's population and GDP. Sectoral, trade, and exchange rate policies in the region have changed greatly since the dissolving of the Soviet Union in 1991, but many price distortions remain. The new empirical indicators in these country studies provide a strong evidence-based foundation for evaluating policy options.

All estimates have been integrated into a Repor-builder that is freely accesible at

http://cies.adelaide.edu.au/agdistortions/database/report