The ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR): Cooperation, commitment and contradictions

This NTS Working Paper examines the prospects for the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) launched in July 2012. It looks at whether the APTERR can overcome the limitations of past rice reserves, which include low stocks and inefficient supply processes, and thus contribute to improving the food security of ASEAN member states through a more stable rice sector. In particular, it highlights inconsistencies in the extent to which different countries are committed to the APTERR, a fundamental issue given that one of the scheme’s objectives is to promote regional cooperation in the rice sector.