LAC’s role in global food security and the multilateral system

Nelson Illescas and Jimena Vicentin Masaro

Chapter 2 in Agricultural trade at a crossroads with Latin American, Caribbean, and African perspectives for post-MC14, 2026-06-30, pp p. 105-125 from International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Abstract: This chapter argues that LAC’s contribution to global food security cannot be understood in isolation from broader debates on trade governance and multilateral cooperation. As climate pressures, geopolitical fragmentation, and market volatility increasingly intersect, the credibility of the rules-based trading system becomes a central determinant of global supply stability. In this context, LAC occupies a relevant position at the intersection of production capacity and global governance: as a major net exporter, it enhances international availability and moderates price volatility, thereby supporting affordability in food-deficit regions; yet, paradoxically, significant segments of its own population—particularly in parts of Central America and the Caribbean—still face constraints in affording a healthy diet (FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. 2025.). This dual condition underscores that food security is multidimensional, linking availability, access, and stability. By leveraging its comparative advantages while engaging constructively in WTO-centered trade governance reform—strengthening disciplines on export restrictions, transparency, and dispute settlement—the region can safeguard its export interests and perform a structural, system-wide balancing role in promoting a more resilient, predictable, and affordable global food system.

Keywords: globalization; food security; multilateral organizations; climate resilience; sustainability; global value chains; Latin America and the Caribbean (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-06-30
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