Research report on food policy and the food subsidy and rationing system in Egypt - considers the origins of the system, food security structure, commodity marketing channels and principal commoditys subsidised; examines food policy decision making and regional level economic administration, as well as distributional and nutritional implications in urban areas and rural areas; discusses current food policy trends. Bibliography, diagrams, statistical tables.

Research report on the effects of the Egyptian food rationing and food subsidy systems on income distribution and consumption - using household survey data explains distribution and food security; examines household expenditure, protein consumption, level of nutrition and percentage calorie deficiency; analyses system of income transfer and interaction with farm crop production and marketing; gives statistical analysis of choice between cooperatives and open market. Bibliography, graphs, statistical tables.

The Egyptian Food Subsidy System: Structure, Performance, and Options for Reform evaluates the economic, political, and technical feasibility of reducing costs while improving or maintaining the welfare of the poor. The report addresses five questions: (1) How well does the present system target the poor? (2) How much leakage- the pilferage of subsidized foods in the distribution channel-occurs? (3) At what cost does the government transfer income to the needy? (4) How can subsidies be better targeted to the needy? And (5) What are politically feasible options for reform?

By gradually reducing the number of subsidized foods, and by focusing subsidies on foods consumed more by the poor than by the rich (like coarse baladi bread) Egyptian policymakers have found a way to self-target food subsidies to the urban poor. Yet because the rural poor do not consume as much baladi bread, this system is not as well-targeted to the rural poor.

Since its earliest years IFPRI has conducted research on food subsidies, concentrating on methods to achieve the social objectives of subsidies without undue distortion of the economy or excessive economic and political costs. Studies have been conducted in eleven countries, several of which have been the site of more than one project. IFPRI research on food subsidies has had, and continues to have, significant impact at the country level. Moreover, the cumulative weight of the research has influenced how the development community regards food subsidy issues.

Research report on the impact of food subsidies on foreign exchange and the industrial sector in Egypt, based on an econometric model of the balance of payments - examines the effect of food policy on exchange rates, inflation and trade structure; discusses price control, food imports and food consumption. Bibliography, graphs and statistical tables.

Extract: The aim of this study is to determine how rapid growth in consumer subsidies has affected agriculture. Therefore, government spending on agriculture is examined, and the government's price policies on inputs and output and its interventions in allocation and marketing are evaluated.

Extract: The aim of this study is to determine how rapid growth in consumer subsidies has affected agriculture. Therefore, government spending on agriculture is examined, and the government's price policies on inputs and output and its interventions in allocation and marketing are evaluated.