Caribbean: 61% El Niño probability threatens crops

61% probability is estimated by WMO that El Niño will bring severe droughts to Belize, Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, threatening crops and water supplies in countries already facing high imported food prices due to the Iran conflict (The Guardian, 2026).

(The Guardian 2026)

The Guardian. (2026, abril 13). El Niño explainer. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/13/el-nino-explainer

Agriculture vs. other sectors IAP

In the sectoral mapping of PAIs, agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing accounts for 248 PAIs (34.8%), followed by manufacturing (188), tourism (70) and ICT (51); additionally, 32 PAIs in health are identified, according to the report (ECLAC, 2025).

En la identificación sectorial de IAP, el rubro agrícola, silvicultura, caza y pesca registra 248 IAP (34,8%), seguido por industrias manufactureras (188), turismo (70) y TIC (51); adicionalmente se identifican 32 IAP en salud (farmacéutico y servicios/dispositivos médicos), según el informe (CEPAL, 2025).

Emissions from land use in LAC.

58% of greenhouse gas emissions in Latin America and the Caribbean originate from land use, land-use change, and the forestry sector, highlighting the significant weight of these activities in the region’s climate dynamics and the urgent need to strengthen mitigation efforts (World Resources Institute, 2024).

World Resources Institute, 2024

Forest cover loss in LAC

7% of forest cover was lost between 1990 and 2020 in Latin America and the Caribbean, equivalent to 138 million hectares, highlighting the scale of landscape degradation in the region and the urgency of advancing large-scale restoration and conservation efforts (World Resources Institute, 2024).

World Resources Institute, 2024

Forests in Latin America and the Caribbean.

23% of the world’s forests and 60% of global biodiversity are located in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting the region’s strategic importance for ecosystem and biodiversity conservation. This significant share also reflects the critical role of LAC in providing essential ecosystem services and in supporting global efforts to address environmental degradation and climate change (World Resources Institute, 2024)

World Resources Institute, 2024

Agricultural Productivity in Latin America and the

Up to 70% of agricultural productivity growth in Latin America and the Caribbean is reduced when environmental costs are taken into account. The increase in production has been driven mainly by the intensive use of inputs rather than by technological or managerial improvements, highlighting the need for policies that integrate sustainability and innovation. (IDB, 2025)

Salazar, L., Tadeo Ruesta, D. V., Alvarez, L., Bernal Hernandez, S. ., & Martel, P. (2025). Agricultural Productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean (1961-2021): Subregional and National Analysis. Balduzzi Fiallos, M. S. (Ed.).

PAI focused on quality improvement

2.4% of the 497 productive articulation initiatives (PAI) (same 20 countries; 2023–2025) focus on quality improvement (ECLAC, 2025).

PAI focused on technology extension

1.2% of the 497 productive articulation initiatives (PAI) (same 20 countries; 2023–2025) focus on technology extension services (ECLAC, 2025).

PAI focused on investment attraction

1.2% of the 497 productive articulation initiatives (PAI) (same 20 countries; 2023–2025) report investment attraction as a strategic focus (ECLAC, 2025).

IAP: market access/internationalization

According to the report (ECLAC, 2025), 26.6% of the 497 Productive Articulation Initiatives (IAP) (20 countries, 2023–2025) have as their strategic focus access to new markets or internationalization.

26,6% de las 497 Iniciativas de Articulación Productiva (IAP) (20 países, 2023–2025) tiene como foco estratégico el acceso a nuevos mercados o la internacionalización, según el informe (CEPAL, 2025).