Biophysical approaches to food system analysis in Latin America

One of the main lines of research of the Barcelona School of Ecological Economics is representing the economic process from its biophysical side. In particular, this chapter focuses on the biophysical analysis of food systems in Latin America. The different approaches presented allow for comprehensive biophysical representations of food systems that may inform policymakers in rural development, sustainable production, trade, and nutrition policies in a way that broadens and complements conventional monetary analysis. Building on the concepts of unequal exchange and ecologically unequal exchange, we use here the concept of caloric unequal exchange, which defines the deterioration of terms of trade in food in terms of calories. The conclusion reached is that, although calories exported by the region to the rest of the world are more expensive than those imported, the ratio is deteriorating over time.