Food and Fuel Prices-Recent Developments, Macroeconomic Impact, and Policy Responses—An Update

Publication Date:

September 19, 2008

Electronic Access:

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

Summary:

This report updates the macroeconomic assessment of the impact of global food and fuel price increases provided in the IMF June 2008 Board paper: Food and Fuel Prices—Recent Developments, Macroeconomic Impact, and Policy Response. Food and oil prices peaked in early summer—in particular, oil prices surged to levels envisaged under the most adverse scenario presented in the June paper. Against this background, the effects of higher prices on the balance of payments, budgets, and domestic prices intensified and a large group of low- and middle-income countries is experiencing a substantial weakening of their balance of payments and higher inflation. These findings reinforce the importance of adopting appropriate policies to maintain macroeconomic stability while protecting the poor.

Series:

Policy Papers

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

September 19, 2008

Format:

Paper

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