About FAO News Multimedia Main topics Statistics Members Publications

FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean

Transparent Markets and Trade
Background

FAO’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean recognizes that the region is a major contributor to global agriculture, but one where a large availability of food is simultaneously coupled with affordability problems.

This paradox is triggered by income distribution issues and high food price inflation, exacerbated by widespread rural poverty and macroeconomic instability in several countries.

Therefore, FAO supports Member States in developing their food supply chains and trade with the aim of promoting the inclusion of family farming and small and medium-sized enterprises in international markets and trade, understanding the role that markets and trade play in achieving food security and nutrition.

In addition, FAO seeks to strengthen the capacity of governments to support market access for agri-food products and increase the transparency of agricultural markets in dynamic trade contexts, by collecting and disseminating information on trade in food, agricultural commodities, and raw materials in support of national, regional, and global policies.

To fulfill this mission, four lines of work have been established aimed at developing capacities related to international trade; promoting the development of alliances; generating evidence that contributes to informing public policies, improving decision-making and strengthening institutions; and collaborating in the generation of business opportunities, with a focus on agri-food SMEs and family farming.

Lines of work
Featured publication
FAO Food Price Index

Pablo Rabczuk

Senior Programme Officer

Camilo Navarro C.

International Agrifood Trade Specialist

Partners
News
FAO promotes solutions for more equitable and sustainable agrifood systems at a regional forum on the 2030 Agenda
07/04/2025

The Organization led a series of side events during the eighth meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development 2025, addressing key issues such as sustainable trade, gender equality, youth participation, and the role of Afro-descendant peoples in agrifood systems.