AN ANALYSIS OF THE PRODUCTION AND EXPORT OF SELECTED FARM PRODUCTS IN LATIN AMERICA IN THE 1980's
PETR MAŠEK, LUIS VILDOZO
Abstract
At present, Latin America's proportion of the total
world output of farm products is 13 % and its proportion of total world exports
of farm products is 11 %.
Present-day situation in Latin America's agricultural production and farm products
export was studied and possible ways of future development were assessed. Eight
key farm products were selected: coffee, sugar, cotton, soya, cocoa, bananas,
maize and beef meat. These eight commodities represent about 2/3 of total agricultural
output in Latin America.
A price depression has involved, more or less, all these commodities. This badly
affects Latin American economies; nevertheless, these eight major commodities
can be expected to continue playing a key role in the agriculture of the countries
of Latin America. As suggested by recent developments and also by the Uruguay
round of GATT negotiations, it can be assumed that the production of soya and
maize will expand in the future; the prices of coffee and cocoa are expected
to continue falling which will most probably bring about a reduction of output.
Key words:
agricultural production, bananas, cocoa, coffee, cotton,
export, Latin America, maize, meat, soya, sugar