A food crisis would be bad for the poor all over the world. But if it adopts the right strategy, Central America could produce more food for export, so earning more hard currency, Fred Blaser writes.
That would lessen the impact of higher prices for much of the region's inhabitants. It would also be good for investors who would finance the expansion of farming.

Source: centralamericablog.net

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Food Crisis due to Prices

February 2011

Corn shortage is adding to the already existing shortage of bean. Escalating international prices are threatening millions of poor Central Americans.

January global data shows that food prices continue to rise and are already surpassing the 2008 prices.

And while the Central American economies are benefiting in part by the increase, for example by increasing revenues from coffee and sugar exports, they have not secured supply of basic traditional consumer products such as wheat, corn and beans; the basic foods of poor population. The already high prices are worsened by poor harvests due to bad weather.

Ethanol, Shrimp, Dairy Products, and Gold Maintain the Export Sector

June 2009

These product areas disrupted the downward trend that would have made Nicaraguan exports less in May (11%) than in the first quarter of 2009 (20%).

With dairy products, cultivated shrimp, and ethanol, the increase in the values of the exports is based as much on the increase in production as on the demand increase from international markets.

High food prices mean more opportunities

July 2008

High food prices are creating opportunities for Central America.

A food crisis would be bad for the poor all over the world. But if it adopts the right strategy, Central America could produce more food for export, so earning more hard currency, Fred Blaser writes.
That would lessen the impact of higher prices for much of the region's inhabitants. It would also be good for investors who would finance the expansion of farming.

Aid offered in food crisis

May 2008

The Inter-American Development Bank on Tuesday announced a $500 million line of credit for Central America in hopes of heading off food-price unrest.

Trying to get ahead of potential unrest because of rising food and energy prices, the Inter-American Development Bank on Tuesday announced a new $500 million line of credit for six Central American nations and the Dominican Republic.