Similarly, food prices are expected to increase by an additional 14 percent in 2022, after reaching historical highs in 2021. Overall, rising food prices and potential wheat shortages affect the poor more because they allocate a higher share of their expenditure to food. *About the authors:Jihad Azour is the Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund where he oversees the Fund’s work in the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and Caucasus. is the Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund where he oversees the Fund’s work in the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and Caucasus. Rodrigo Garcia-Verdu is a Senior Economist in the Middle East and Central Asia Department (MCD).

Source: The North Africa Journal May 27, 2022 23:54 UTC