Promoting food market transparency and policy coordination: The G20 Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS)

The Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) was launched in 2011 by the Group of Twenty (G20), with the objective of enhancing market transparency, reducing the likelihood of sudden food price spikes and improving policy coordination in times of high food price volatility. AMIS does so by monitoring global markets of four main food commodities (wheat, maize, rice and soybeans) and by promoting dialogue among the principal trading countries of these commodities. The initiative is supported by a multi-agency Secretariat hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Its participants include the G20 members (plus Spain) and seven invited countries, which jointly account for more than 80 percent of global production and trade of the covered commodities. 

During the 10 years of its operation, AMIS has established itself as a trusted source of timely and reliable market information and analysis. By working closely with designated focal points in AMIS participating countries, the initiative has supported countries in implementing improved methodologies for data collection, analysis and dissemination. AMIS has created a vibrant network of the main players in global food markets, which has proven essential in the initiative, and played an important role particularly during crisis times, such as the market turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic or the war in Ukraine.