Data or statistical facts on the situation and perspectives of agri-food systems and the impact of policies
WFP estimates that the 2026-27 El Niño could push 49 million people into acute hunger worldwide, with Latin America and the Caribbean among the most affected regions.
El Niño is causing below-average and erratic rainfall in Central America's Dry Corridor, reducing staple grain production among smallholders.
FEWS NET projects crop losses and lower yields among subsistence farmers in Guatemala's Dry Corridor, Alta Verapaz and Western Highlands.
FEWS NET expects El Niño-related rainfall deficits to contribute to smaller harvests in Haiti in fall and winter 2026 and spring 2027.
Argentina's maize production averaged 11.1% above its expected trend during seven strong or very strong El Niño events since 1980.
In Honduras, El Niño-related rainfall deficits reduce 2026 harvests and farm incomes. Insufficient imports are tightening maize supplies.
Soybean harvest reached 25% across 18 monitored states, 8 percentage points below the 2021-2025 average (33%), despite advancing from 17% the previous week. These states represented 96% of harvested soybean acreage in 2025.
Winter wheat planting for the 2027 crop reached 36% across 18 states, 10 percentage points below the historical average of 46%. Weekly progress rose 9 points from 27% on September 27.
Corn harvest reached 23% across 18 USDA-monitored states, 4 percentage points below the 2021-2025 average (27%) and up from 18% the previous week. These states accounted for 93% of harvested corn acreage in 2025.
From October 5 to 11, 2026, every region of Costa Rica is forecast to receive below-normal rainfall. The IMN estimates an extreme-event probability of about 20%, although it reports high uncertainty for this final week of the outlook.
