Americas Quarterly's New Issue: Latin America's Food Paradox

New York, October 16, 2024 — “Latin America’s future lies in addressing both challenges: becoming a more efficient producer and exporter of food while ensuring its own citizens don’t go hungry,” write Americas Quarterly (AQ) editors in the magazine’s new issue, which explores the contradiction between the region’s role as a global agricultural powerhouse and its growing food insecurity problem.

“Today’s Latin America is truly becoming the world’s breadbasket: the source of more than 60% of the planet’s soy, a quarter of its beef and chicken, and so on. But paradoxically, even as exports soar, the region faces serious challenges feeding its own population. Nearly 30% of Latin Americans are estimated to suffer from food insecurity,” say the editors.

In the new issue’s cover story, award winning journalist John Otis takes a deep dive into Latin America’s “food paradox.” Otis explores the complex reasons behind the problem, from the impact of climate change and migration to mismanaged government policies. He highlights the urgent need for coordinated solutions among different key players, such as the private sector, governments, and non-profit organizations.

AQ's Nick Burns writes about South America's booming soy industry. His article examines how countries like Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay have transformed their agricultural practices to become major global players in soy production. Burns cautions that this expansion comes with significant challenges, including market volatility driven by shifting demand from major consumer countries.

Additionally in this issue, Brandee McHale from Citi Foundation lists four key areas of investment needed to help combat food security: enabling food access, addressing affordability, improving availability, and supporting community resilience.

Susan Segal, AS/COA's president and CEO, emphasizes the interconnectedness of the region, arguing that effective leadership across the Americas is crucial to addressing food insecurity and ensuring a more secure future for all.

Also in this issue:

• Luiza Franco, Mark Viales, and Michelle Sicard Jimenez list how different community groups in Colombia, Dominican Republic, and Mexico are trying to fight food insecurity. 
• José Raul Mulino, president of Panama, is the focus of the AQ Profile, written by Mary Triny Zea. The article explains the challenges the country faces, from water shortages to a fiscal crisis, and how the unexpected candidate and now president might approach them. 
• Brian Winter interviews Argentine economist Eduardo Levy Yeyati regarding his views in favor of a centrist revival for Latin America.  

The full issue is available at americasquarterly.org 

View the PDF.  

To request interviews with the authors, or to request publication permission, please contact AS/COA Media Relations at mediarelations@as-coa.org