Time is running out to address a silent food crisis sweeping the Caribbean. More than two in five people are battling hunger every day. Without immediate action, the situation will only worsen, threatening the region’s stability and future.
Nearly 3.2 million people in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean are food insecure, according to the latest Food Security and Livelihoods Survey by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Key factors of Food crisis
Rising prices, reduced incomes, and climate impacts are driving the crisis in the Caribbean. Thirty percent of residents report eating less in 2025, extending a four-year trend driven by supply chain issues and rising costs. Most households, about 94 percent, have seen food prices rise, while a third have lost jobs or income.
Many people are struggling to afford food. Local food producers are also under pressure. Farmers report steep increases in the costs of fertilizer, seed, and equipment—further stressing a region heavily reliant on imports.
Across the Caribbean, nations face food related challenges due to their geographic remoteness, lack of locally available resources and exposure to climate worsening. The Caribbean is particularly vulnerable to natural hazards and supply chain disruptions, which can cause rapid increases in food prices. It’s deeply concerning that many people are struggling to afford the food they need.
The Caribbean is especially vulnerable to climate change, hurricanes, and droughts. These threats have grown more urgent and now significantly impact food security.
The Worrisome Food Crisis
Food insecurity has entered a new and more troubling phase, with half of the regional population experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity on a year-to-year basis.
A food crisis often leads to families opting for cheaper, less nutritious food which negatively impacts health. Inadequate nutrition has irreversible effects on a child’s physical and mental development. Food insecurity is linked to increased hunger, anemia among women, and stunted growth among children. The region battles both rising obesity and undernutrition, facing a double burden of malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies.
Food insecurity contributes to poverty and unemployment, particularly in rural areas, and can perpetuate socio-economic hardship for generations. Children affected by food insecurity may experience stunted growth and development, potentially hindering their educational attainment and future prospects.
What’s Being Done
CARICOM’s “25 by 2025+5” program: This initiative aims to reduce the region’s reliance on food imports by 25% by 2025 and focuses on strengthening food systems to be more resilient to shocks. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) are collaborating on several initiatives, including:
- Food Security and Livelihoods Survey: This provides valuable data on food security trends, market access, and household well-being to inform policy and decision-making.
- Real-time food security monitoring system: This tool helps identify emerging needs and supports timely emergency responses.
Governments across the Caribbean have scaled up social protection measures to cushion the impacts of rising costs and economic disruptions, according to the WFP. Efforts are underway to reduce the region’s reliance on imported food by investing in domestic agricultural production and promoting sustainable practices. Solutions like high-yielding crop varieties, climate-proof irrigation, and sustainable land management are being implemented to boost productivity and build resilience to climate change.
Initiatives like the OECS Agricultural Competitiveness Project aim to connect local food producers with the tourism industry, expanding market opportunities and promoting local food consumption. Countries are working to diversify agricultural exports through investments in agro-processing and agro-logistics facilities.
The crisis is real. The need is urgent. The time to act is now. Support the Caribbean and help end hunger.
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