FAO's Markets and Trade Division (EST), with its expertise on world agricultural trade, provides analytical and policy information to the United Nations (UN) community, global stakeholders, and beyond. EST keeps a comprehensive market intelligence service of the main agricultural commodities, and houses the Secretariats of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP), the Intergovernmental Commodity Groups (IGGs), and the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS). Early warnings of food shortfalls are managed by EST.

FAO keeps a constant watch on world markets of main agricultural commodities, including basic foodstuffs, tropical products and raw materials. These monitoring activities serve as a basis for forwardlooking analyses that assess global supply and demand prospects for these commodities in the short-term and medium-term, as well as the impact of policy developments and other influential factors on commodity markets. Although global in focus, the team’s market appraisals build on in-depth commodity supply and demand assessments at the national level.

Global Information and Early Warning System

Established after the food crises of the early 1970s, the Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS) continuously monitors and reports on food supply and demand across the world. It is a leading source of information on food production and food security at national, regional and global levels. Through assessments and reports, GIEWS alerts national and international decision makers on impending food crises, aiming to guide their intervention. GIEWS provides comprehensive market intelligence on agricultural commodities and supports national and regional initiatives to establish and enhance early warning systems.

Emerging Trends, Challenges and Opportunties

In the area of trade, FAO undertakes in-depth analyses of multidisciplinary issues related to agricultural trade and markets and provides guidance for responsible value chains. Issues addressed have included the interactions between climate change and trade, the interlinkages between agriculture and migration, and the promotion of responsible business conduct and due diligence in global value chains. The objective is to identify emerging trends and challenges, and propose policy options that help promote the proper functioning global markets and value chains and eradicate hunger. The publications developed under this work area present state-of-the-art analysis to inform all key stakeholders in and beyond the agricultural sector.

Trade Policy and Partnerships

Trade in most agricultural commodities is expected to expand, trade rules are becoming more complex and some countries are using trade instruments in times of food crises to guarantee food supplies for their own people. Trade policy can have significant implications for food security, nutrition and employment. Given this, FAO will continue to support its Members in capacity development. This will be aimed at enhancing market transparency, exports and agricultural and food systems, via better aligned trade and agricultural policies. FAO also promotes sustainable production and trade by facilitating multi-stakeholder partnerships in agricultural value chains. It supports the World Banana Forum (WBF), an example of a successful multi-stakeholder platform.