%0 Journal Article
%@ 0167-6296
%A Conte, Bruno
%A Piemontese, Lavinia
%A Tapsoba, Augustin
%C Amsterdam
%D 2023
%F publications:46724
%I North-Holland
%J Journal of Health Economics
%K Desert locust swarms
%K Agricultural shocks
%K Local markets
%K Child health
%R 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2022.102712
%T The power of markets: Impact of desert locust invasions on child health
%U https://publications.ut-capitole.fr/id/eprint/46724/
%V vol.87
%X This paper investigates the consequences of the 2004 locust plague in Mali. We argue that in agricultural economies with a single harvest per year, this type of shock can affect households through two channels: first, a speculative/anticipatory effect that kicks in during the growing season, followed by a local crop failure effect after harvest. We document a substantial impact of the plague on crop price inflation before the harvest. Regarding health setbacks, children subject only to the speculative/anticipatory effect suffered as much as those exposed to the actual crop failure effect. The latter is more severe for children born in isolated areas.