The Impact of COVID-19 on Agricultural Trade and Employment of Selected South and Southeast Asian Countries

This note summarises the impact of COVID-19 on the agricultural sectors of seven South and Southeast Asian countries. It analyses the impact of COVID-19 on the trade of agri-food products through trade volumes and policies and identifies challenges and opportunities for agricultural trade brought by the pandemic. The note also analyses the potential impact of COVID-19 on agricultural employment, particularly for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME’s). Finally, the note provides an overview of opportunities for delegates to the WTO to take some key issues forward in relevant WTO discussions/negotiations on agriculture to facilitate the development of the agricultural sectors of respective countries in the context of COVID-19.