Agribusiness plays a vital role in economic development. In countries with low per capita incomes, the agricultural sector often accounts for half or more of the gross domestic product and 60-80 percent of total employment.
IFC has made agribusiness a priority as part of its commitment to help reduce poverty and improve peoples’ lives. IFC provides financial and advisory support to the agribusiness sector along the full value chain directly to companies and indirectly through intermediaries (e.g. traders, financial institutions). As a general rule, IFC finances projects that have the largest demonstrated benefits to the overall efficiency and competitiveness of the supply chain, and the highest overall contribution to economic development.
IFC's Agribusiness Investments and Portfolio
IFC's agribusiness investment portfolio at the end of FY11 (ended June 30, 2011) reached $3 billion, representing more than 255 projects in 63 countries.
In FY11, IFC's Global Agribusiness Department committed $660 million, for 39 projects in 27 countries. Over 35 percent of projects were in low income countries.
IFC Commitments in Agribusiness by Fiscal Year
IFC’s Agribusiness Portfolio by Region, as of June 30, 2011
IFC’s Agribusiness Portfolio by Subsector, as of June 2011
