"Food chokepoint" disruptions and implications for Asia

Abstract

The ongoing disruptions to maritime traffic in the Red Sea and Suez Canal have highlighted the threats posed by “food chokepoints” in the flow of agricultural products. Asian countries are likely to be impacted through delayed shipments and higher prices, given their reliance on imports from European and Black Sea markets. Policymakers and private sector planners must consider implementing short-term and longer-term measures as well as region-wide initiatives to leverage major agricultural exporting countries in the Asia-Pacific which can circumvent such chokepoints.