Data or statistical facts on the situation and perspectives of agri-food systems and the impact of policies
15 Latin American and Caribbean countries participated in the high-level technical meeting that assessed the effects of the Middle East conflict on regional agrifood systems and their possible medium-term evolution.
There is a 61% probability that El Niño will develop between May and July 2026 (IDB, 2026).
More than 100,000 people in 250 rural communities benefited from anticipatory actions implemented in nine countries during the 2023-2024 El Niño event, with increases of up to 40% in maize and bean production in some Central American countries.
167 million people face moderate or severe food insecurity in Latin America and the Caribbean; in addition, more than 33 million suffer from hunger and over 181 million cannot afford a healthy diet.
More than 20% is NOAA’s estimated probability of an extreme version of El Niño occurring, although experts warn that uncertainty remains.
Nearly 30% was the year-on-year increase in grain harvests during intense El Niño events, such as 1997 and 2014-2016, due to productivity gains.
83% of firms finance their investments primarily with their own resources.
76% of surveyed agrifood companies in Latin America and the Caribbean consider access to financing to be the main public policy priority for the sector.
More than 80% of the fertilizers used in Latin America are imported, which increases regional vulnerability to external shocks (Mundoagro, 2026).
A 30% increase in agricultural income could be achieved with the technological adoption promoted by CAF (CAF, 2025).
