Data or statistical facts on the situation and perspectives of agri-food systems and the impact of policies
38% of global agrobiodiversity is found in Latin America, a region that has contributed fundamental crops such as corn, potato, cocoa, tomato, avocado, and many others to global food, constituting a strategic asset to face climate change (Velásquez, A., 2025).
300% has grown in the last decade the international trade of native varieties from Latin America such as quinoa, amaranth, maca, avocado, and specialty coffee, reflecting a growing interest in ancestral foods and agricultural biodiversity (Velásquez, A., 2025).
75% of the genetic diversity of traditional Latin American crops has been lost in the last century, evidencing the importance of germplasm banks and in-situ conservation strategies to preserve adaptation options to climate change (Velásquez, A., 2025).
20% increase in added value have experienced traditional Latin American crops adapted to international standards, such as Hass avocado, Geisha coffee, or specific varieties of Andean potato, demonstrating opportunities for bio-businesses (Velásquez, A., 2025).
60% more food must be produced by Latin America by 2050 to contribute to global food security in the context of climate change, growing population, and resource constraints, requiring intensive innovation according to strategic projections (Velásquez, A., 2025).
45% could increase Latin American agricultural productive efficiency through the coordinated implementation of digital transformation strategies, including adapted mechanization and robotics, digital innovation, and artificial intelligence according to CAF projections (Velásquez, A., 2025).
5,000 years of artificial selection have been necessary to develop the main variants of food crops we know today, highlighting the patient work of generations of farmers to adapt plants to specific conditions (Velásquez, A., 2025).
65% of small and medium Latin American farmers lack access to adequate financing to adopt technological changes, which is identified as a critical barrier to the materialization of innovations according to CAF diagnostics (Velásquez, A., 2025).
80 million dollars annually are estimated necessary to invest in each country of the region to strengthen Agricultural Health and Food Safety Services (SAIA), fundamental to facilitate international trade according to studies cited by CAF (Velásquez, A., 2025).
300% could increase the productivity of small Latin American farmers through adequate training and extension services that facilitate the transfer and adoption of adapted technologies, according to CAF projections for regional development (Velásquez, A., 2025).
