Latin America has become a major supplier of organic products globally, yet it still faces hurdles before it can firmly establish itself as an international organic export powerhouse.

This insight comes from Juan Carlos Ramírez, president of the Board of the Inter-American Commission on Organic Agriculture (CIAO). At the commission’s recent eighth assembly in Argentina, delegates emphasized the need to strengthen domestic markets in Latin American countries, as local consumers increasingly seek out organic foods.

“We have a responsibility to improve institutional frameworks and production control systems, especially considering the public perception of organic foods as healthier and more environmentally friendly,” Ramírez stated. He also noted that while international exports have increased across the region, organic agriculture remains a future-oriented challenge—one that requires horizontal cooperation among nations.

“Organic products carry added value and deep social significance,” he added. “They demand higher labor input and more meticulous care compared to genetically modified foods.”

Latin America currently accounts for 17% to 20% of global organic food trade, with a production sector that continues to grow steadily. According to Ramírez, the global organic market has expanded at an average annual rate of nearly 10% since 2008 and now generates approximately $80 billion USD per year.

Worldwide, there are an estimated 2.2 million organic food producers—and 400,000 of them are based in Latin America. Ramírez highlighted that organic markets foster more direct relationships between producers and buyers, often through local fairs and farmers’ markets. “This is a more open market structure, unlike conventional markets that are dominated by international middlemen,” he emphasized.

Despite its strong global positioning, Latin America still has work to do to fully capitalize on its potential as a leader in sustainable, organic exports.