South American countries, such as Argentina and Brazil, have a pivotal role to play in ensuring global food security and sustainability. However, the rise of protectionism and uncertainties surrounding international trade policy have become significant barriers for countries that export agricultural products, according to a recent conference in Washington.
Brazil, for instance, is considered one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of agricultural products to international markets. Its exports are valued over $62.4 billion, and according to the World Trade Organization, agricultural products made up about 42 percent of the country’s total commodity exports in 2015 — with Argentina, China, the European Union and the U.S. topping the list of its trade partners.
During a conference organized by the International Food Policy Research Institute and called “Global food security and the WTO: The role of Mercosur countries,” experts discussed how various economic and political trends would continue to impact countries such as Brazil and Argentina in international trade.
About the author
Jennifer Piettedisgeneration
Jennifer Ehidiamen is a Nigerian writer who is passionate about communications and journalism. She has worked as a reporter and communications consultant for different organizations in Nigeria and overseas. She has an undergraduate degree in mass communication from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, and M.A. in business and economics from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, New York. In 2014, she founded Rural Reporters (www.ruralreporters.com) with the goal of amplifying underreported news and issues affecting rural communities.
