Food Security Policies in Latin America: New trends with uncertain results

This report analyzes public policy responses to the 2007-2008 food crisis in Latin America, focusing on the shift toward protecting vulnerable populations, the conceptual debate between food security and food sovereignty, and the introduction of new legislative frameworks for government intervention.

• The 2007-2008 food crisis led to three primary policy shifts in Latin America: increased protection for vulnerable social sectors against high food prices, a renewed conceptual focus on food security and food sovereignty, and the enactment of new laws that grant governments more instruments for public intervention and, in some instances, mechanisms for social participation.
• Policy responses across Latin American countries were largely uniform and not tailored to specific national contexts, such as agricultural resources, trade status as net exporters or importers, or importing capacity.
• While many countries focused on short-term measures to lower food prices, Brazil and Mexico specifically implemented programs providing food or direct income transfers to the poor. However, overall policy responses tended to increase trade barriers and failed to increase regional trade or cooperation despite intergovernmental declarations.
• The report argues that effective food security requires a balanced approach combining cautious macroeconomic policies, compensatory social programs, and supply-side stimuli for agricultural diversification. It notes that most regional countries lack the institutional capacity and detailed social data necessary to make compensatory policies effective.
• Despite being net food exporters, Latin American countries need long-term policies and investments in innovation and natural resource conservation to leverage the food crisis as an opportunity. Globally, the report calls for a new "Agricultural Deal" to improve trade rules, increase food aid, and reduce price volatility.

APA

Trucco,, M. P. B. U. (2010). Food Security Policies in Latin America: New trends with uncertain results. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/food-security-policies-latin-america-new-trends-uncertain-results

Chicago

Trucco,, Martin Piñeiro,Eduardo Bianchi,Laura Uzquiza,Mario. Food Security Policies in Latin America: New trends with uncertain results. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2010. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/food-security-policies-latin-america-new-trends-uncertain-results.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Trucco, |first1=Martin Piñeiro,Eduardo Bianchi,Laura Uzquiza,Mario |title=Food Security Policies in Latin America: New trends with uncertain results |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=31 August 2010 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/food-security-policies-latin-america-new-trends-uncertain-results |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{trucco2010food, author = {Trucco,, Martin Piñeiro,Eduardo Bianchi,Laura Uzquiza,Mario}, title = {{Food Security Policies in Latin America: New trends with uncertain results}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2010}, month = aug, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/food-security-policies-latin-america-new-trends-uncertain-results}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }