A Review of Trade Challenges and Nutritional Opportunities in Asia Pacific

Abstract

Asia Pacific has undergone substantial economic growth and trade integration, yet food and nutrition security challenges persist. Different forms of malnutrition, including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and a rising prevalence of obesity and diet-related diseases, impose significant human and economic costs. This paper examines the opportunities to more strategically leverage regional agricultural trade policy to improve access to diverse, nutritious, and safe foods. Amid urbanization and dietary changes associated with income growth, demand for imported foods is rising across Asia. Meanwhile, pockets of food insecurity and nutritional inadequacy remain, especially among marginalized groups. Trade has potential to enhance year-round availability and affordability of fruits, vegetables, livestock products, and processed fortified foods to support nutritional diversity. However, proactive policy efforts are essential to build nutrition sensitivity. This analysis indicates that expanding regional trade networks, reducing transaction costs, upgrading value chains, utilizing food fortification, leveraging foreign investment strategically, and incorporating nutritional objectives within policy frameworks could significantly improve availability, affordability, diversity and safety of diets. But complementary investments in health systems, infrastructure, social protection, and women’s empowerment are equally critical given the multifaceted determinants of malnutrition. The present findings point to high potential nutrition and food security synergies from closer coordination between trade, health, agriculture and development policy realms. Mainstreaming nutrition across initiatives, assessing dietary impacts, and aligning incentives for food companies with public health goals are identified as priorities alongside value chain development for nutritious commodities. Further research should quantify expected nutrition outcomes of specific trade reforms. Overall, integrating nutrition sensitivity into Asia Pacific’s dynamic agricultural trade growth represents a promising opportunity to enable healthier, sustainable food systems across this populous region.