The Plurinational State of Bolivia presents four strategic investment opportunities under the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative: native cocoa, Amazonian fruits, regenerative livestock systems, and high-Andean camelids. These sectors combine productive transformation, climate resilience, technological modernization, and high-value export potential.

Bolivia is home to more than 11.3 million inhabitants and has one of the most strategic agroproductive and biodiversity platforms in South America. More than half of the national territory is covered by forests and productive ecosystems that support competitive value chains with strong export potential. Bolivia’s new development vision promotes integrated value chains, public-private-community partnerships, technological modernization, climate resilience, and sustainable productive growth. The agricultural sector contributes approximately 15% of national GDP, while agrofood value chains represent 31% of GDP and 27% of employment, consolidating agriculture as a strategic engine for economic growth and foreign exchange generation.

Bolivia’s strategic position in South America, together with the Bioceanic Corridor and Paraguay-Paraná waterway, strengthens its role as a regional export platform. Bolivia is internationally recognized for premium agrofood products with traceability, sustainability, and strong international market potential. Wild and native cacao exports increased from USD 2.9 million in 2023 to USD 14.1 million in 2024, with growing demand from Germany, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland. Bolivia is also the world’s leading exporter of shelled Brazil nuts, representing more than 70% of global trade, while acai and other Amazonian fruits are rapidly expanding in premium health-food markets. At the same time, Bolivia is promoting regenerative livestock systems based on rotational grazing, genetic improvement, climate-smart infrastructure, and low-emission production.

The country exported a record 45,000 tons of beef in 2024, and is opening new markets in Egypt, Japan, and Southeast Asia. The Government of Bolivia is promoting a new productive agenda focused on legal certainty, modernization, and investment facilitation. Strategic reforms include support for agro-industrial development, value addition, climate-resilient production systems, technological innovation, and stronger public-private partnerships. Through the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, Bolivia seeks strategic alliances to accelerate productive transformation, expand exports, strengthen food systems, and position the country as a reliable supplier of sustainable food products.

Cocoa

INVESTMENT

USD 19.45M 

INTERNAL RATE OF RETURN (%)

19%

NET PRESENT VALUE

USD 10.35M

DIRECT BENEFICIARIES

3,800

INDIRECT BENEFICIARIES

11,400

INCOME INCREASE PER CAPITA

2,324 USD/person

EMISSION REDUTION (EXACT)

-6,151 TCO2-E