Agricultural export restrictions or prohibitions (ER) have emerged as one of the most contentious issues in global trade governance, particularly amid recurring food crises, geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions, climate-induced production shocks, and rising inflationary pressures. Such measures are widely criticized because they can undermine food security in importing countries, drive up international prices, disrupt global supply chains, and lead to missed opportunities for domestic traders and farmers.

Abstract: Mark Carney’s warning of “a rupture in the world order” captures the shifting foundations of the multilateral trading system ahead of the WTO’s Fourteenth Ministerial Conference (MC14). Once the anchor of a rules-based trade regime, the WTO is now grappling with both internal and external pressures.

Abstract: Public stockholding (PSH) for food security purposes remains one of the most persistent and unresolved issues in the agriculture negotiations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In many developing countries, such programmes play a crucial role in supporting farmers’ livelihoods by ensuring stable prices and demand, stabilizing domestic food markets while enhancing food access for low-income households.

Abstract: Recent proposals under the WTO reform agenda have questioned the continued broad application of Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) and called for a greater alignment of obligations across Members. This paper examines whether economic convergence since the establishment of the WTO supports such claims. Using GDP per capita data in both current US dollars and purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, the analysis evaluates income trends for developing Members relative to developed economy benchmarks.