Import Dependency, and Food and Nutritional Security in the Caribbean

Abstract

This chapter examines the consequences of food-import dependency on food and nutritional security in the Caribbean region. Food and nutrition security is a complex issue and its analysis is based on four pillars: availability, access, stability and utilization. Main findings suggest that overall food security in the Caribbean countries is at risk due to high reliance on food imports, leakage of foreign exchange savings, poor food choices, increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases, reduced income opportunities, inequitable food access and high exposure of Caribbean countries to various natural disasters. These factors make Caribbean countries very vulnerable in terms of world food prices fluctuations, food availability in the world markets and reduced ability to generate exports.