Research/academic paper

An Empirical Analysis of the Determinants of Food Imports in Congo

“The aim of the study was to identify the factors that are likely to explain the evolution of food imports in Congo. Several variables related to the Dutch disease, the necessity to ensure food security following the crisis in the agricultural industry, armed conflicts, re-export trade, and the tax and customs reform were tested using an econometric model. The analysis showed that the exchange rate of the local currency, armed conflicts, reexport trade, income and the domestic production index all represent the main factors that account for food imports in Congo in the short and/or long term. These results allowed us to draw some economic policy implications.”