Panorama and prospects for food security in Central America, Panama, Dominican Republic (CAPARD) Mexico and Haiti

The Covid-19 pandemic initiated a global inflationary escalation that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has exacerbated, putting upward pressure on the international prices of energy inputs and basic foodstuffs on which the countries of Central America, Panama, the Dominican Republic (CAPARD), Mexico and Haiti depend. This scenario represents a risk to food security in the region. In 2022, the percentage of households with income below the cost of the basic food basket is expected to increase by more than 5 percentage points compared to 2019, disproportionately affecting women, informal workers and rural populations. To mitigate these effects, governments have reacted with policy measures that on average represent a fiscal cost of 1.2% of GDP. Recent projections point to a global scenario of low growth and persistent inflation, with food and energy prices still above pre-pandemic levels. This is in addition to other risks facing the region, particularly vulnerability to natural disasters and the effects of climate change. To meet these challenges, short- and long-term actions are required to ensure access to and sustained supply of adequate quality food. This study, in addition to providing an overview of food security in the region, reports on the countries' policy responses and proposes short-term and long-term recommendations for managing a possible food emergency and avoiding future crises.