Towards improved food security in 20 OECD countries: Persistence of food imports using a fractional integration approach

In this article, we aim to advance the literature on food security by examining the persistence of food imports in a group of 20 OECD nations. The analysis concentrates on two food import series for each nation: real food imports and real food imports per capita during 1963 and 2021. Using fractional integration techniques, the empirical findings show support for persistence of food imports in the OECD countries examined. Evidence of mean reversion is not found in any single case, and Korea Republic and Australia display the lowest degrees of integration, while Iceland the highest ones. Policy implications of the empirical findings are explained in the body of the manuscript. • Real food imports and real food imports per capita series for 20 OECD countries are examined. • The methodology is based on fractional integration. • Evidence of mean reversion is not found in any single case. • Korea Republic and Australia display the lowest degrees of integration. • Iceland displays the highest values.