Study of Food Import Capacity Growth Effects on the Food Security of Urban Households in Iran

Abstract
One of the most important issues in the import indices of food security evaluation is food import capacity index. The ratio of total exports to food imports is often thought to be a measure of the capacity of a country to finance its food imports using revenues from exports of goods and services. This study investigates food import capacity effects on urban households food security by AHFSI (Aggregate Household Food Security Index) and FICI (Food Import Capacity Index) using vector error correction model (VECM) during 1983-2008. Results indicate that food security is in an appropriate level and has increasing trend. Also, food import capacity index (FICI) effects on food security in national level is positive and model estimation shows food import capacity index effects on food security in urban households is positive in short run and long run.

JEL Classification: Q18

Keywords:
Food Security, Urban Households, Iran, FICI