Beans Quote by Thomas Pogge
“In 88 poor countries for which we have data, in each and every one of the 88, the PPP for food shows that poor people can buy less food than you would expect from the PPP that the World Bank is using. The reason for this is obvious on reflection. It has to do with the fact that most foodstuffs are tradable commodities: basic foodstuffs, such as rice, flour and beans, can easily be conveyed across national borders and their prices will therefore roughly mirror the exchange rates among currencies.”
About This Quote
Source Report: World Bank Poverty and Food PPP Study, 2015
Poor households cannot purchase as much food as PPP suggests because staple foods are globally tradable, linking prices to exchange rates rather than local purchasing power.
In simple terms: Food prices follow global markets, limiting poor people's buying power.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of PPP for food when assessing poverty.
Themes
poverty
economics
food security
global trade
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
economic
policy
When to use this quote
- policy design
- aid allocation
- nutrition programs
- economic research
Key Concepts
Purchasing power parity
commodity pricing
exchange rate effects
Questions to Reflect On
- How can poverty metrics be adjusted for tradable food items?
- What alternative measures capture local food affordability?
A Different Perspective
PPP may misrepresent real consumption needs for non‑tradable goods.
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