The OECD fears the poorest countries will see the least gain

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said this would result from higher incomes for both producers and consumers.

Its comments come as nations continue work to agree a new global trade deal at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Already long delayed, the WTO wants a framework agreed by the end of July.

A final deal is then timetabled to be completed by the end of this year.

If the finished agreement is finally signed off, it is expected to cut global protectionism by between 30% and the 50%, the level explored in the latest Organisation for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD) study.

'Efficiency gain'

While the OECD's $44bn estimate includes all sectors of the global economy, its report says the largest part of this gain is expected to come from agricultural reform.

Paradoxically, while the developed world - notably some European Union member states - has appeared the most unwilling to reduce farm support and tariffs, the OECD says such Western nations would have most to gain from reduced barriers in the agricultural sector.

The OECD found that the most efficient agricultural exporters - such as Australia, Brazil, the US and Thailand - would also gain significantly.

Although all countries will gain overall, the OECD added that for the poorest developing nations, the immediate benefits of reduced global protectionism would be relatively small, and instead concentrated more in manufacturing than agriculture.

The WTO's current Doha round of trade talks first started in 2001.

Talks stalled last year due to a failure to reach agreement in the agricultural sector.