The Globalization of Farmland: Theory and Empirical Evidence

Author/Editor:

Rabah Arezki ; Christian Bogmans ; Harris Selod

Publication Date:

June 22, 2018

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary:

This paper is the first to provide both theoretical and empirical evidence of farmland globalization whereby international investors directly acquire large tracts of agricultural land in other countries. A theoretical framework explains the geography of farmland acquisitions as a function of cross-country differences in technology, endowments, trade costs, and land governance. An empirical test of the model using global data on transnational deals shows that international farmland investments are on the aggregate likely motivated by re-exports to investor countries rather than to world markets. This contrasts with traditional foreign direct investment patterns where horizontal as opposed to vertical FDI dominates.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2018/145

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

June 22, 2018

ISBN/ISSN:

9781484362105/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2018145

Pages:

45

Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org