The Lubin Files

OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2009-2018

The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2009-2018 was released on June 17, 2009.

The report reveals that:

World reference prices for many commodities nearly doubled over the period 2007-2008 but fell sharply from their record highs, driven by increased production, responding to earlier price rises, and by weaker demand, intensified by the commencement of the global economic crisis.

However, prices are expected to strengthen with economic recovery over the medium term. For the next 10 years, prices in real terms are still projected at, or above, the levels of the decade prior to the 2007-08 peaks.

Agricultural Outlook can be downloaded here:

Part I
Part II
Part II Statistical Annex 

(FAO Staff only.  Staff without password, contact fao-library-reference@fao.org)

 

Measuring gender discrimination

The OECD Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) site analyzes a combination of 12 factors, including traditions and social norms, to rank the gender divide in many developing countries. The initial page has an interactive map as a quick reference to both the countries indexed and their rank, but delve further into the site and you will find much more detailed information.

World Economic Outlook

The International Monetary Fund's "World Economic Outlook Update" - January 2009 is now available.

UN Data: A World of Information

The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) has launched a new internet-based data service for the global user community. It brings UN statistical databases within easy reach of users through a single entry point from which users can now search and download a variety of statistical resources of the UN System.

Its data sources are listed below.

I'm looking forward to trying this resource out.  Would be nice to hear your comments as well.

Commodity Trade Statistics

Energy Statistics

FAO Data

Gender Info 2007

Greenhouse Gas Inventory Data

Human Development Report

ILO Data

Indicators on women and men

Industrial Commodity Statistics

Key Global Indicators

Millennium Development Goals

National Accounts Estimates of Main Aggregates

National Accounts Official Country Data

UNESCO Institute for Statistics

UNHCR Statistical Yearbook

The State of the World's Children

UNSD Demographic Statistics

WHO Data

World Population Prospects

World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database

World Statistics Pocketbook

World Tourism Organization Statistics

Rice prices

I located the following online resources for a patron who was interested in data for rice prices:

FAOSTAT - See the PRICESTAT subset of data.
FAO Food Price Index
FAO Rice Market Monitor
Food Outlook - Includes market assessment for rice.
FAO Rice Price Update - Includes export prices for rice and FAO Rice Price Index.

Labour statistics

A selection of labour statistics is presented here from the International Labour Organization.

OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2008-2017

Agricultural commodity markets are experiencing dramatic price hikes, begging the questions by what these are caused and what may be expected in the future. The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2008-2017 report provides an extensive review of the reasons for recent price hikes and discusses and whether these factors are of a temporary or more permanent nature. Through scenario and stochastic analyses, it tries to shed light on the question to what extent these factors are likely to influence price levels, real price trends or price volatility in the future.

This OECD publication is available to FAO staff members via OLISNET.

World Bank: The Little Book on External Debt 2008

New publication available to FAO staff members via library subscription to the World Bank E-Library:

Abstract: The Little Data Book on External Debt provides a quick reference for users interested in external debt stocks and flows, major economic aggregates, key debt ratios, and the currency composition of long-term debt for all countries reporting through the Debtor Reporting system. A pocket edition of the Global Development Finance 2008, Volume II: Summary and Country Tables, it contains statistical tables for 135 countries as well as summary tables for regional and income groups.

View the publication here.

Worldwide exchange rate data (Agriculture)

The USDA's Economic Research Service produces the Agricultural Exchange Rate Data Set.

The ERS data set contains annual and monthly data for exchange rates important to U.S. agriculture. It includes both nominal and real exchange rates for 80 countries (plus the European Union) as well as real trade-weighted exchange rate indexes for many commodities and aggregations. All series are updated every other month. Data series start at the beginning of 1970 and run to the last available current monthly information, which is typically 2 months behind the current date.

Migration and Remittances Factbook 2008

New publication available to FAO staff members via library subscription to the World Bank E-Library:

Abstract: Migration and Remittances Factbook 2008 contains statistical snapshots for 195 countries and 13 regional and income groups. The 200+ tables, each focused on one country, region, or income group, explore immigration, emigration and skilled emigration, and inward and outward remittance flows. Summary reports on the top 10 countries in each category are also included.