Blog Category

Americas : Latin America and the Caribbean

Report launch: The key role of trade in strengthening food security in Latin America and the Caribbean

Dec 28th, 2023 • by Brian McNamara

Recent events such as the war in Ukraine and the El Niño weather cycle have demonstrated how shocks triggering changes in production and distribution of food in one country or region can reverberate around the world, eroding food security for millions if not billions. Efficient, agile, and diverse trade networks can help countries and suppliers to cope with these shocks and strengthen food security. These networks are especially relevant for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Food Security and Incomes in Guatemala During Food Crises

Nov 15th, 2023 • by S. Gustafson

Since early 2020, Guatemala has faced a multitude of food security shocks: from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions on movement and disruptions to agricultural trade to widespread flooding following several major tropical storms to skyrocketing staple food prices. A new article in World Development examines the immediate and longer term impact of these shocks on households’ incomes, diets, food security, and migration decisions, particularly in rural areas.

Advancing agricultural trade reforms: Latin American contributions to the multilateral trading system

Aug 9th, 2023 • by GLORIA ABRAHAM PERALTA, ADRIANA CAMPOS, VALERIA PIÑEIRO, AND ELSA OLIVETTI

Multilateral trade negotiations over agriculture present a complex set of challenges: Finding a balance between the diverse interests and positions of the 164 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is exceedingly difficult due to the importance and varied sensitivities of this sector across countries. Those with significant agrifood exports want new market opportunities and thus promote greater trade liberalization; other members, generally importers, prefer to focus on increasing domestic production and protecting their domestic markets.

Global Food Policy Report 2023 Latin America launch: Policies to build resilience to shocks

Jul 7th, 2023 • by Brian McNamara

Food systems have experienced a multitude of shocks in recent years that threaten food and nutrition security around the world. The Latin America and Caribbean region (LAC), which plays an important role in ensuring the stability of the global food system, has been hit hard by these disruptions. The region has accounted for 30% of deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet makes up only 8% of the global population.