CARACAS, VENEZUELA – Venezuela’s dependence on imported food is creating new opportunities for U.S. agriculture, even as severe inflation continues to erode purchasing power and complicate the country’s economic recovery.
Bloomberg’s Café Con Leche Index recently showed a cup of coffee costing nearly six times as much as a year earlier. Since the index began in 2016, Venezuela has redenominated the bolivar twice, removing 14 zeros from the currency.
USDA says Venezuela imported about $2.5 billion in agricultural products during 2025. The United States supplied $762 million and held significant market share in corn, soybean meal, wheat, and rice. USDA says agricultural imports could increase as much as 10% in 2026 if economic conditions improve.
USDA is now expanding efforts to build that market through export-credit guarantees, market-development programs, technical exchanges, and a possible regional agribusiness trade mission in 2027. The agency is also evaluating food-assistance programs.
Venezuela remains a coffee producer and exporter, making the coffee index a striking measure of continued inflation alongside recovering agricultural trade.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Venezuela’s food-import needs and new USDA trade efforts could expand opportunities for U.S. grain, oilseed, and food exporters.