ABOUT THIS REPORT
This report provides an overview of typical production and market behavior in Central America staple grains market. The regional markets covered include those in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua (countries monitored by FEWS NET in Central America) as well as Costa Rica and Mexico.
STAPLE FOOD MARKETS IN CENTRAL AMERICA
Overview
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Maize, beans, and rice are the main staple foods in the Central America region and are the base of food security, especially among poorer populations. Maize is the dominant crop produced in the region, comprising nearly 75 percent of total annual regional staple food production, on average (Figure 1). Bean and rice production contribute a much smaller volume to total production, but are also important crops in the region.
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Central America as a region is typically self-sufficient in maize supply, structurally surplus in bean supply, and structurally deficit in rice supply. However, national levels of self-sufficiency vary from country to country for each commodity (Figure 2).