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This publication presents evidence with regard to the effectiveness of policies and programmes introduced in response to rising food prices in eight selected Latin American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. The case studies provide insights into the economic and policy environment at the time of the first price spike of 2007–08, analyse the measures that were introduced in response and discuss the evidence on the effects on the food security situation.

As such they provide lessons learned in terms of the effectiveness of the different measures in achieving the intended food security goals, including the challenges encountered in their implementation. This evidence thereby contributes to the debate on appropriate policy responses to future price shocks, considering the complexity of determining short-term and long-term effects on producers, consumers and the fiscal accounts.