The State of Food Security in the Caribbean

This chapter examines the state of food security across the Caribbean region, looking at trends over the past 15 years. The aim is to highlight the specificity and peculiarities of the Caribbean compared with the rest of the world, and to identify the factors that are responsible for the Caribbean situation. The available data indicate that the Caribbean region has faced fluctuating levels of food security, with initial progress in reducing undernourishment between 2005 and 2015, followed by concerning setbacks. Despite efforts to tackle food insecurity, recent data reveal a reversal of gains, underscoring persistent challenges. Alarmingly high rates of severe food insecurity are noted particularly in Haiti (82.5% between 2019 and 2021), but also in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. While there has been a slight reduction in severely food insecure individuals between 2020 to 2021, the overall trend contrasts with global patterns. The prevalence of stunting and wasting among children under 5 years old is relatively low compared to other regions, however, disparities persist among Caribbean countries, with Haiti exhibiting significantly higher rates. Additionally, the region faces a dual challenge of overnutrition, with rising rates of overweight and obesity contributing to the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases. Some of the factors that contribute to food insecurity, include limited access to affordable food, vulnerability to natural disasters, and economic challenges exacerbated by recent crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and external conflicts. Addressing food insecurity in the Caribbean requires targeted efforts at both regional and national levels, focusing on systemic issues and building resilience against future crises to ensure sustainable solutions for the region's food security challenges.