Information provided by the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) enhances market transparency and strengthens food security, speakers emphasized at the 26th session of the AMIS Global Food Market Information Group, which was held at WTO headquarters on 14-15 Novembe
AMIS, an inter-agency platform launched in 2011 by G20 agriculture ministers, aims to improve food market transparency and policy responses to food insecurity.
It includes G20 members along with Spain and eight other major
agricultural exporting and importing countries, representing around
80-90% of global production, consumption and trade volumes of crops like wheat, maize, rice and soybeans.
Edwini Kessie, Director of the WTO's Agriculture and Commodities Division, opened the meeting by underscoring the important role that AMIS plays. “In a more volatile market and policy environment, stable and predictable trade is more important than ever before,” he said.
Mr Kessie highlighted recognition of AMIS in the landmark 2022 WTO declaration on food security, in which WTO members also underscored the importance of promptly sharing information about policies that may impact food and agriculture markets.
He noted that the WTO supports AMIS through its regular policy monitoring, working closely with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and other AMIS Secretariat members. The WTO also collaborates with the International Grains Council (IGC) on a wheat maritime trade database, providing real-time data and analysis on this important commodity.
in April, WTO members adopted a report on trade and food security, following work initiated by the food security declaration, Kessie said. The report invited the AMIS Secretariat to explore stronger links with regional economic institutions to gather, analyse and share timely and reliable food market data.
Despite the lack of specific negotiating outcomes on agriculture at the 13th Ministerial Conference, the WTO Secretariat is continuing to support members in their efforts to improve the functioning and long-term resilience of global markets for food and agriculture, he said.
The Chair of AMIS, Donald Boucher (Canada), told the meeting that the platform's work was now well recognized by governments and market actors.
