The benefits and pitfalls of stockpiles to manage prices and access to critical resources

OECD Berlin Centre, ,

Concerns about disruptions in supply of critical raw materials, key industrial inputs or consumer goods, including energy and food, have revived the debate about publicly managed or mandated stockpiles. In the EU several recent initiatives refer to stocks as a tool to support economic resilience like the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act, the Draghi report on EU competitiveness, the Niinistö report on resilience to ensure societal and economic safety, and as well the recently published Competitiveness Compass. In agriculture there is a longstanding tradition of stockpiles to address food security by making food available at accessible prices. Multilateral rules on stockpiles have been developed over the years to address conflict about the effects on world markets, trade and thus potential negative effects on food security for other countries.  

The panel discussed the opportunities and pitfalls of using public stockpiles for different commodities, in different contexts and for different purposes, such as a number of key commodities in Switzerland. The experts also debated whether OECD countries should pursue and jointly manage stockpiles for selected critical raw materials, what they can learn from experiences in agriculture or other sectors such as energy, and the role of transparency in softening price shocks and supply disruptions.

Opening remarks:
Marion Jansen, OECD

Presentation:
Georgios Mermigkas and Cosimo Avesani, FAO

Discussion:
Fernando Borredá Juste, ANPAQ, Spain
Daan Freeman, Centraal Planburo, The Netherlands
Anne Lauenroth, BDI, Germany
Stefan Menzi, Federal Office for National Economic Supply, Switzerland
Bettina Rudloff, German Institute for International and Security Affairs

Moderation:
Nicola Brandt, OECD

Recording of the webinar:

Presentation of Georgios Mermigkas and Cosimo Avesani, FAO:

Presentation_PSH_OECD_March25Herunterladen

Further information: