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The High Cost Of Eating: Causes Of International Differences In Consumer Food Prices

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  • Robert E. Lipsey
  • Birgitta Swedenborg

Abstract

Prices of food vary greatly among the developed countries, and some countries' food prices have been consistently far above the OECD average. The main explanation for food price difference is the extent of protection of agricultural products at the farm level. A second important influence is the level of VAT on food. A third is deviations of aggregate country price levels from the levels that would be predicted from their per capita incomes, presumably because of omitted characteristics of the countries' economies, such as, possibly, inefficient or monopolistic service sectors. In addition, there are occasional episodes of high or low price levels due to temporary factors affecting exchange rates. The degree of protection of agricultural products is treated both as an exogenous factor and as an endogenous one. In the latter case, it is explained by climatic conditions and, presumably, the political influence of the agricultural sector or a general desire to retain an agricultural sector despite poor growing conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert E. Lipsey & Birgitta Swedenborg, 1996. "The High Cost Of Eating: Causes Of International Differences In Consumer Food Prices," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 42(2), pages 181-194, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:revinw:v:42:y:1996:i:2:p:181-194
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-4991.1996.tb00165.x
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    Cited by:

    1. John Devereux & Zadia M. Feliciano, 2013. "Robert E. Lipsey," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 59(2), pages 375-380, June.
    2. Michael B. Devereux & Charles Engel, 2001. "The Optimal Choice of Exchange Rate Regime: Price-Setting Rules and Internationalized Production," NBER Chapters, in: Topics in Empirical International Economics: A Festschrift in Honor of Robert E. Lipsey, pages 163-194, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Robert E. Lipsey & Birgitta Swedenborg, 2007. "Explaining Product Price Differences Across Countries," NBER Working Papers 13239, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Stefan Fölster & Sam Peltzman, 2010. "Competition, Regulation and the Role of Local Government Policies in Swedish Markets," NBER Chapters, in: Reforming the Welfare State: Recovery and Beyond in Sweden, pages 253-284, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    5. Robert Lipsey & Birgitta Swedenborg, 2010. "Product price differences across countries: determinants and effects," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 146(3), pages 415-435, September.
    6. Ephraim Kleiman, 1997. "National Price Levels: Do Taxes Matter?," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 4(3), pages 361-377, July.
    7. Magnus Blomström & Linda S. Goldberg, 2001. "Introduction to "Topics in Empirical International Economics: A Festschrift in Honor of Robert E. Lipsey"," NBER Chapters, in: Topics in Empirical International Economics: A Festschrift in Honor of Robert E. Lipsey, pages 1-14, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    8. Greve, Jane, 2008. "Obesity and labor market outcomes in Denmark," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 6(3), pages 350-362, December.
    9. Robert E. Lipsey & Birgitta Swedenborg, 1999. "Wage Dispersion and Country Price Levels," NBER Chapters, in: International and Interarea Comparisons of Income, Output, and Prices, pages 453-477, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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