FAO estimates that by the end of 2019 the production of grain in the region will be 29.8 million tons, below the average volume reported in the last five years.
The decline in the volume harvested will be because of the rainfall deficits that this year affected grain crops in most countries, reported the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Unable to compete with cheaper imports, in the last four years aquaculture production has dropped 31%, and the number of farmers has dropped from 1,241 in 2013 to 287 at the end of 2016.
Preliminary figures from a study by the Food and Agriculture Organization show that in 2012 production of species in water amounted to 27,879 tons, while the projection for the end of 2016 was 19,235 tonnes.
The FAO Food Price Index continues to show a slow upward trend for the third consecutive month.
From a statement issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization:
The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) averaged 151.8 points in April 2016, up 1.1 points (0.7 percent) from March, but almost 10 percent below its April 2015 level. A relatively strong rise in vegetable oil quotations coupled with a more modest gain in international prices of cereals more than offset a decline in dairy and sugar prices. The small increase in April represented a third month of gradual rise in the value of the FFPI.
The FAO food price index rose slightly in March due to sharp increases in prices of sugar and palm oil.
From a press release by the Food and Agriculture Organization:
The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 151.0 points in March 2016, up 1.0 percent from February, but almost 21 points (12.0 percent) below its March 2015 level. The main feature last month was the strong rebound in sugar prices, which, combined with a further increase in vegetable oil quotations, more than offset a plunge in dairy values. International prices of the other commodities used in the calculation of the FFPI changed little.
The FAO Food Price Index averaged 150.2 points in February 2016, nearly unchanged from January, but 14.5% below February 2015.
From a statement issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization:
The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 150.2 points in February 2016, nearly unchanged from January, but 25.6 points (14.5 percent) below February 2015. The most outstanding development last month was a surge in vegetable oil quotations, which, along with a small recovery in meat prices, more than offset declining cereal, sugar and dairy prices.
In Nicaragua for every cultivated hectare, 39 kilos of fertilizer are used, in Panama the figure is 50 kilos, in Honduras, 58, in Guatemala, 97, in El Salvador, 135, and in Costa Rica, 264 kilos.
The study "State of the Global Food and Agriculture", by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), details not only the use of fertilizer per hectare in Central America, but also the proportion of the value added in agriculture in each country.
In June prices of sugar and dairy products fell sharply, meat remained stable, while cereals and oils showed improvement.
The FAO Food Price Index* averaged 165.1 points in June 2015, down 1.5 points (0.9 percent) from the previous month and almost 44 points (21.0 percent) down from June 2014. Price movements diverged across the various markets, with sugar and milk products incurring pronounced falls, while cereals and oils prices firmed somewhat. Meat prices were stable. Except for a lull in October 2014, the overall food price index has declined every month since April 2014.
Only fish consumption of Panamanians is above the world average, with 23 kilos per capita per year.
The growth of purchasing power and increased choice of seafood explain the increased consumption among Panamanians, which averages around 23 kilos a year. The increased purchasing power of Panamanians is added to the growing industrialization in fish production, which along with the increase in marketing channels, increases product availability and consumption.
On December 2nd business experts and industry representatives will meet to discuss issues such as illegal fishing and the national fisheries inspection plan.
From a statement issued by the MarViva Foundation:
Costa Rica will be receiving a visit from the international expert on illegal fishing and fishery enforcement, Alejandro Covarrubias, who will provide advice to prepare the National Fish Inspection Plan, promote actions and mechanisms to combat illegal fishing and strengthen capacities to implement the Agreement on Measures of the Port State Rector in the country.
42% of total production corresponds to anchovies and herring, 43% to industrial and artisanal scale fishing, 7% to tuna and the remaining 8% to other fish and aquaculture products.
One of the factors which explains the preponderance of anchovies and herring in the total fish production is that both types of fish are used for fishmeal and fish oil.
A website is registering and maintaining information on the incidence of rust fungus and coffee berry borer in the region.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Costa Rica:
As part of an Early Warning System for coffee rust, the FAO presents in Costa Rica "SATCAFÉ"; a website which will allow technicians, producers and any entity in the coffee sector (project participants), to access information regarding the incidence of coffee rust and coffee berry borer.
The new law regulates the sale of products for agricultural use and establishes color bands labels according to the degrees of toxicity classified by the WHO and the FAO.
From a statement issued by the National Congress of Honduras:
Tegucigalpa - The National Congress finalised approval on Thursday, in a third and final debate, of the Adjustments to the Law for the Sale of Agricultural Products with Different Degrees of toxicity, presented by the Liberal MP for Choluteca, Yuri Sabas, and ruled on by the ordinary commission for health and which is part of the Government Legislative Plan 2014-2018, submitted last March by President of the Legislature, Mauricio Oliva.
The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2014-2023 report forecasts a fall in agricultural prices, while ground is gained in livestock production and biofuels.
Cereals remain the staple food, but greater quantities of protein, fat and sugar are being consumed in many parts of the world due to increasing income and urbanization.
In light of the emergence of the TR4 strain in Asia, Africa and the Middle East recommendations have been made to take preventive measures in cultivations of the crop in Latin America.
From a statement from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation:
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has urged countries to intensify supervision, information and prevention of one of the most destructive diseases for banana cultivation in the world, Fusarium wilt (or Fusariosis), which recently spread from Asia to Africa and the Middle East, and could potentially affect Latin America.
A new commission set up by the Ministry of Health will regulate advertising of tobacco and alcohol and will look at increasing taxes.
The National Commission for the Prevention of Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases and Cancer, established by the Ministry of Health and Welfare will be responsible for the regulation of advertising of snuff and alcohol and also promote the consumption of healthy foods.