Latin America is quietly cementing its role as one of the world’s most important food suppliers, with a handful of countries driving production across everything from soybeans and beef to avocados and coffee. Fresh industry data and market forecasts show the region is not just keeping pace with global demand, but increasingly shaping it.

According to the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), global wheat production has reached a remarkable milestone this season.

In Southeast Asia, agriculture, forestry, and fishing remain foundational to national economies, contributing 8% to 16.6% of GDP in 2024, depending on the country, even as their shares have declined in recent years.

Data from the World Bank's April 2024 Food Security Update indicates that food price inflation exceeded 5% in 59.1% of low-income countries, 63.0% of lower-middle-income countries, 31.0% of upper-middle-income countries, and 14.5% of high-income countries.