The OECD Agricultural Outlook 2001-2006 and Agricultural Policies in OECD Countries: Monitoring and Evaluation 2001

Agricultural markets are on the upturn after a prolonged period of record low values for many commodities. Demand, particularly in non-OECD countries is growing faster than production and global stocks are falling. If global economic growth is sustained in coming years, this will stimulate trade and lift world prices for most agricultural products between now and 2006. But support and protection to OECD agricultural producers remain high, although a slight decrease occurred in 2000 after a two-year rise. The key conclusion is that reform has been insufficient and remains fragile.
Two new OECD reports, Agricultural Policies in OECD countries: Monitoring and Evaluation 2001 and the OECD Agricultural Outlook 2001-2006 , look at support levels and agricultural policy developments of the past year and evaluate policy and market prospects up to the year 2006 for cereals, oilseeds, meats and dairy products. Their main message is to urge governments to take advantage of the improved market prospects to design agricultural and other policies to achieve their economic, environmental and social objectives in ways that minimise distortions to production and trade.