Abstract: Public stockholding (PSH) for food security purposes remains one of the most persistent and unresolved issues in the agriculture negotiations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In many developing countries, such programmes play a crucial role in supporting farmers’ livelihoods by ensuring stable prices and demand, stabilizing domestic food markets while enhancing food access for low-income households.

Abstract: Recent proposals under the WTO reform agenda have questioned the continued broad application of Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) and called for a greater alignment of obligations across Members. This paper examines whether economic convergence since the establishment of the WTO supports such claims. Using GDP per capita data in both current US dollars and purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, the analysis evaluates income trends for developing Members relative to developed economy benchmarks.