Data or statistical facts on the situation and perspectives of agri-food systems and the impact of policies
Three days per week was the water-rationing schedule for farmers in Puerto Rico's Southwest District in July 2026. Irrigation flow in Juana Díaz was reduced by approximately 5%, while streams in Patillas supplied only 25% of their normal flow.
The entire U.S. Virgin Islands territory was classified in Extreme Drought (D3) as of July 21, 2026. Lack of rainfall was causing cracked soils, vegetation stress, depleted ponds, and water-access difficulties for residents and farmers.
Less than 20% of normal precipitation fell across southern and southwestern Puerto Rico during the 60 days preceding July 21, 2026, representing deficits of 3 to 6 inches. Most of the island received less than 60% of normal rainfall.
Between 4.0 and 4.99 million people are expected to need humanitarian food assistance in Colombia during the projection period through January 2027 as the negative impacts of El Niño increasingly affect livelihoods. La Guajira and Chocó are expected to remain in Crisis, IPC Phase 3, due to weather shocks, localized insecurity, reduced production and income, and prices rising above general inflat...
63% is the estimated probability of a very strong El Niño between November and January, according to NOAA’s mathematical model cited by the source.
Region 3-4 of the Pacific Ocean is where Paraguay’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock states El Niño has already settled, with direct impact expected on Paraguay.
200 millimeters of rain in a single day may occur during localized extreme events associated with El Niño in Paraguay, creating problems for production.
September onward is the period when Paraguay’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock expects El Niño could have a significant impact, coinciding with the start of the rainy season.
Latin America and the Caribbean require US$33 million to take action and protect 1.1 million people from the anticipated effects of El Niño, including those related to food security. (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2026).
For the Niño 1+2 region, the Coastal Niño would extend until the summer of 2027. The event is expected to reach a magnitude between strong (48%) and moderate (46%). (Multisectoral Commission in Charge of the National Study of the El Niño Phenomenon, 2026).
