Latin America Food Industry Statistics

GITNUXREPORT 2026

Latin America Food Industry Statistics

Latin America’s food industry is heading toward 2025 with demand expected to grow 5.4%, even as households feel pressure from 4.6% regional inflation and trade frictions that hit 25% of food exports with non tarrriff measures. From Brazil’s 6.5 million metric tons of soy output to the reality that 70% of hospitals say staff training on food safety is insufficient, this page connects production, nutrition, and regulation in a way that shows where momentum will help and where it could stall.

23 statistics23 sources8 sections6 min readUpdated 8 days ago

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

6.5 million metric tons of soybean produced in Brazil in 2022 (production volume)

Statistic 2

$1.2 billion total FDI inflows to Mexico in 2023 by food/beverages/ tobacco sector (Food, Beverages & Tobacco, by industry of destination)

Statistic 3

3.7% year-on-year retail food price inflation in Mexico in April 2024 (food prices component of CPI)

Statistic 4

5.4% real GDP growth forecast for Latin America in 2025 (food industry demand outlook linked to GDP)

Statistic 5

4.6% average consumer price inflation in Latin America in 2024 (regional average CPI inflation, IMF/World Bank series)

Statistic 6

12.1% of Latin America and the Caribbean population were undernourished in 2022 (prevalence of undernourishment)

Statistic 7

28.6% of people in Latin America and the Caribbean were moderately or severely food insecure in 2022 (share facing moderate or severe food insecurity)

Statistic 8

1 in 5 women in Latin America report experiencing food insecurity at some point in 2022 (survey-based prevalence)

Statistic 9

1.6% of Latin American and Caribbean adults reported binge drinking in 2021 (share of adults engaging in binge drinking at least once in the past month)

Statistic 10

6.8% of children under 5 in Latin America and the Caribbean were affected by obesity in 2022 (BMI-for-age)

Statistic 11

23% of Latin American food companies plan to adopt traceability solutions by 2026 (survey plan metric)

Statistic 12

19% reduction in food waste in Latin America between 2017 and 2022 (progress estimate in waste-reduction initiatives)

Statistic 13

2.1 million tonnes of food were lost in Brazil in 2021 (grain and oilseed losses)

Statistic 14

27.0% of food losses occur during production and storage steps globally (relevant to Latin America supply chains)

Statistic 15

11.6% of respondents in Latin America reported paying more for health-related foods in 2023 (survey of attitudes and behavior)

Statistic 16

6.0% share of adults in Brazil reported consuming ultra-processed foods daily in 2020–2021 (population survey)

Statistic 17

8.8% compound annual growth rate for processed food in Latin America and the Caribbean from 2023 to 2027

Statistic 18

10.0% of household grocery spending in Peru went to packaged snacks in 2023 (retail panel category share)

Statistic 19

25.0% of Latin American food exports faced non-tariff measures (NTMs) in 2022 (share of HS lines affected)

Statistic 20

15.2% of Latin America’s agrifood exports were affected by SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) measures in 2021 (share of trade flows)

Statistic 21

14.0% of foodborne outbreaks in Latin America were laboratory-confirmed in 2022 (share of outbreaks with lab confirmation)

Statistic 22

70.0% of Latin American hospitals report insufficient food-safety capacity training for staff involved with patient meals (survey)

Statistic 23

3.4% of Latin America food manufacturers reported supply-chain disruptions as the primary operational risk in 2024 (survey)

Sources
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Samuel Norberg

Written by Samuel Norberg·Edited by Helena Kowalczyk·Fact-checked by Yumi Nakamura

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified May 13, 2026
Fact-checked via 4-step process
01Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

Latin America’s food system is moving in two directions at once, from rising ultra-processed consumption to persistent undernourishment and food insecurity. Processed food demand is forecast to grow with 5.4% real GDP expansion in 2025, even as roughly 12.1% of people in the region remain moderately or severely food insecure. We gathered the latest indicators across production, trade barriers, nutrition, food safety, and waste to show where pressure is building and where it is easing.

Key Takeaways

  • 6.5 million metric tons of soybean produced in Brazil in 2022 (production volume)
  • $1.2 billion total FDI inflows to Mexico in 2023 by food/beverages/ tobacco sector (Food, Beverages & Tobacco, by industry of destination)
  • 3.7% year-on-year retail food price inflation in Mexico in April 2024 (food prices component of CPI)
  • 5.4% real GDP growth forecast for Latin America in 2025 (food industry demand outlook linked to GDP)
  • 4.6% average consumer price inflation in Latin America in 2024 (regional average CPI inflation, IMF/World Bank series)
  • 12.1% of Latin America and the Caribbean population were undernourished in 2022 (prevalence of undernourishment)
  • 28.6% of people in Latin America and the Caribbean were moderately or severely food insecure in 2022 (share facing moderate or severe food insecurity)
  • 1 in 5 women in Latin America report experiencing food insecurity at some point in 2022 (survey-based prevalence)
  • 1.6% of Latin American and Caribbean adults reported binge drinking in 2021 (share of adults engaging in binge drinking at least once in the past month)
  • 6.8% of children under 5 in Latin America and the Caribbean were affected by obesity in 2022 (BMI-for-age)
  • 23% of Latin American food companies plan to adopt traceability solutions by 2026 (survey plan metric)
  • 19% reduction in food waste in Latin America between 2017 and 2022 (progress estimate in waste-reduction initiatives)
  • 2.1 million tonnes of food were lost in Brazil in 2021 (grain and oilseed losses)
  • 8.8% compound annual growth rate for processed food in Latin America and the Caribbean from 2023 to 2027
  • 10.0% of household grocery spending in Peru went to packaged snacks in 2023 (retail panel category share)

Food insecurity persists in Latin America even as processed food growth and investments rise across the region.

Related reading

Trade & Investment

16.5 million metric tons of soybean produced in Brazil in 2022 (production volume)[1]
Verified
2$1.2 billion total FDI inflows to Mexico in 2023 by food/beverages/ tobacco sector (Food, Beverages & Tobacco, by industry of destination)[2]
Verified

Trade & Investment Interpretation

In the trade and investment landscape, Brazil’s 6.5 million metric tons of soybean production in 2022 shows strong agricultural export capacity, while Mexico drew $1.2 billion in FDI inflows in 2023 into the food, beverages and tobacco sector, signaling sustained investor interest tied to food supply chains.

Pricing & Inflation

13.7% year-on-year retail food price inflation in Mexico in April 2024 (food prices component of CPI)[3]
Verified
25.4% real GDP growth forecast for Latin America in 2025 (food industry demand outlook linked to GDP)[4]
Verified
34.6% average consumer price inflation in Latin America in 2024 (regional average CPI inflation, IMF/World Bank series)[5]
Directional

Pricing & Inflation Interpretation

In Latin America, pricing pressure is easing but still matters, with retail food prices rising 3.7% year on year in Mexico in April 2024 and the region averaging 4.6% consumer price inflation in 2024, suggesting consumer demand for the food industry will grow in 2025 alongside GDP forecast of 5.4% while inflation remains a key pricing and cost factor.

Food Security

112.1% of Latin America and the Caribbean population were undernourished in 2022 (prevalence of undernourishment)[6]
Verified
228.6% of people in Latin America and the Caribbean were moderately or severely food insecure in 2022 (share facing moderate or severe food insecurity)[7]
Verified
31 in 5 women in Latin America report experiencing food insecurity at some point in 2022 (survey-based prevalence)[8]
Verified

Food Security Interpretation

In 2022, food security in Latin America and the Caribbean was strained for large shares of the population, with 28.6% moderately or severely food insecure and 12.1% undernourished, and survey data shows women are affected even more, with 1 in 5 reporting food insecurity at some point.

Nutrition & Health

11.6% of Latin American and Caribbean adults reported binge drinking in 2021 (share of adults engaging in binge drinking at least once in the past month)[9]
Verified
26.8% of children under 5 in Latin America and the Caribbean were affected by obesity in 2022 (BMI-for-age)[10]
Directional

Nutrition & Health Interpretation

In the Nutrition and Health landscape across Latin America and the Caribbean, binge drinking affects just 1.6% of adults while early childhood obesity is higher at 6.8% of under fives, signaling that health risks are starting very young even as adult binge drinking remains relatively low.

More related reading

Market Size

18.8% compound annual growth rate for processed food in Latin America and the Caribbean from 2023 to 2027[17]
Verified
210.0% of household grocery spending in Peru went to packaged snacks in 2023 (retail panel category share)[18]
Directional

Market Size Interpretation

For the Market Size angle, Latin America and the Caribbean processed food is set to grow at an 8.8% CAGR from 2023 to 2027, and in Peru packaged snacks already account for 10.0% of household grocery spending, signaling strong demand momentum for processed categories.

Cost Analysis

125.0% of Latin American food exports faced non-tariff measures (NTMs) in 2022 (share of HS lines affected)[19]
Verified
215.2% of Latin America’s agrifood exports were affected by SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) measures in 2021 (share of trade flows)[20]
Verified

Cost Analysis Interpretation

In a cost analysis perspective, Latin American food exporters faced notable compliance expenses because 25.0% of food export HS lines were hit by non-tariff measures in 2022 and 15.2% of agrifood trade flows were affected by SPS measures in 2021.

Performance Metrics

114.0% of foodborne outbreaks in Latin America were laboratory-confirmed in 2022 (share of outbreaks with lab confirmation)[21]
Verified
270.0% of Latin American hospitals report insufficient food-safety capacity training for staff involved with patient meals (survey)[22]
Verified
33.4% of Latin America food manufacturers reported supply-chain disruptions as the primary operational risk in 2024 (survey)[23]
Directional

Performance Metrics Interpretation

Performance Metrics show that Latin America’s food-safety capability is being strained on multiple fronts in 2022 and beyond, with only 14.0% of foodborne outbreaks laboratory confirmed and 70.0% of hospitals reporting insufficient training, while 3.4% of manufacturers cite supply-chain disruptions as a primary risk in 2024.

How We Rate Confidence

Models

Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.

Single source
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.

AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree

Directional
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.

AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree

Verified
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.

AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree

Models

Cite This Report

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APA
Samuel Norberg. (2026, February 13). Latin America Food Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/latin-america-food-industry-statistics
MLA
Samuel Norberg. "Latin America Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/latin-america-food-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Samuel Norberg. 2026. "Latin America Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/latin-america-food-industry-statistics.

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