The impact of transport‐and transaction‐cost reductions on food markets in developing countries: evidence for tempered expectations for Burkina Faso
通过局部均衡模型分析布基纳法索运输与交易成本降低对粮食价格、区域间谷物贸易及储存策略的短期影响，发现成本降低的直接效果有限，且需关注对未受益地区的负面竞争效应。
Abstract Reductions in transport and transaction costs are expected to have a major effect on the functioning of food markets in developing countries. For Burkina Faso, this is a relevant issue as it may have important consequences for the food markets in urban and rural deficit areas. A partial equilibrium model is presented to analyze the short‐term effects of reduced costs on price formation, inter‐regional cereal trade, and farmers' and traders' storage strategies. Our results show that the high expectations with regard to the direct effects of cost reductions on food prices and food availability require some nuance. The effects of a reduction of transport costs will be small. Moreover, also the unintended negative consequences on the competitive position of farmers and traders in other regions that do not profit from road construction should be taken into account. Finally, it is concluded that only if transport and transaction costs are reduced simultaneously, will both the consumers and farmers benefit significantly.