SMEs Dominate the Regional Agrifood Sector

66% of surveyed agrifood companies in Latin America and the Caribbean identify themselves as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

(BID, 2026)

Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID)

Companies Demand Trade-Related Training

67% of surveyed agrifood companies in Latin America and the Caribbean are interested in training on market access and international trade.

(BID, 2026)

Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID)

Companies Are Unaware of Public Policy Instruments

47% of surveyed agrifood companies in Latin America and the Caribbean report being unaware of public policy instruments targeted at the sector, highlighting gaps in access to support programs.

(BID, 2026)

Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID)

Access to Credit Is a Regional Priority

76% of surveyed agrifood companies in Latin America and the Caribbean consider access to financing to be the main public policy priority for the sector.

(BID, 2026)

Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID)

Agrifood Companies Depend on Their Own Resources

83% of agrifood companies in Latin America and the Caribbean finance their investments primarily with their own resources due to limited access to credit.

(BID, 2026)

Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID)

Logistics Costs Are Holding Back Regional Agricult

65% of agrifood companies in Latin America and the Caribbean identify high logistics and transportation costs as the main barrier to growth and participation in international trade.

(BID, 2026)

Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID)

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).

Deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon

50% of deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon occurs on forest lands where the removal of tree cover is prohibited, showing that forest loss is concentrated in legally restricted areas. This situation reflects pressures associated with land-use change driven by activities such as shifting agriculture, cattle ranching, illegal and informal mining, and illicit crop cultivation, all of which significantly contribute to the degradation of ecosystems and forested lands SERFOR (2020).

SERFOR (2020)

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).

PAI aimed at improving offering and increasing sal

10.7% of the 497 productive articulation initiatives (PAI) (20 countries, 2023–2025) focus on improving the commercial and tourism offer and increasing sales, according to the report (ECLAC, 2025).

10,7% de las 497 iniciativas de articulación productiva (IAP) (20 países, 2023–2025) se enfoca en mejorar la oferta comercial y turística y aumentar ventas, según el informe (CEPAL, 2025).