Data or statistical facts on the situation and perspectives of agri-food systems and the impact of policies
The IMF warns that energy-importing Caribbean countries face balance of payments pressures due to rising oil and food prices; oil surpassed USD 100/barrel (+50% in one month), with additional risks for tourism- and remittance-dependent economies.
The price of Brent crude rose by 27%, reaching approximately $91.80 per barrel, while the price of European natural gas (TTF) rose by 74%, reaching nearly €55.80 per MWh.
Freight rates for oil tankers rose (BDTI +54% and BCTI +72%), while marine fuel prices increased by up to +99% for low-sulfur fuel and +100% for high-sulfur fuel, driving up transportation costs in global supply chains.
Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell more than 95% (from over 100 vessels per day to fewer than 10), disrupting flows of oil, LNG and fertilizers essential for global agricultural production (UNCTAD, 2026).
A quarter of regional exports came from the agricultural sector (CAF, 2025).
29.7% was Latin America and the Caribbean’s relative labor productivity compared to the European Union (ECLAC, 2025).
687 IAPs make up the database with information used to classify productive articulation initiatives financing sources in 18 countries (2023–2025), according to the note in the report’s financing chart (ECLAC, 2025).
According to the report (ECLAC, 2025), 26.6% of the 497 Productive Articulation Initiatives (IAP) (20 countries, 2023–2025) have as their strategic focus access to new markets or internationalization.
12.7% of the 497 productive articulation initiatives (PAI) (20 countries, 2023–2025) prioritize productive linkages as their strategic focus, according to the report (ECLAC, 2025).