Food Price Inflation in East and Southeast Asia: Situation, Driving Forces, and the Outlook

Abstract

term and in the meantime, potentially new food crises are simmering in East and Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, China’s reopening and deepened intraregional integration have allowed the region’s food price situation to be less grim than elsewhere. This article conducts a political-economic analysis in order to identify the major forces driving recent food price inflation in the region as well as to explore what proactive measures can build greater food system resilience during the post-COVID-19 recovery. This article recommends that countries refrain from imposing further export restrictions (whatever their form), and instead deepen dialogues and cooperation in order to facilitate food system resilience against the looming risks, such as El Niño.