SANTIAGO, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Common Market of the South (Mercosur) Thursday discussed a common strategy to address surging world food prices at an agriculture meeting in Chile.

    Agriculture Ministers of Mercosur's members gathered in the resort of Cocon in the Region of Valparaiso in central Chile to join the 14th ordinary meeting of the Agriculture and Livestock Council of the South (CAS).

    Chilean Agriculture Minister Marigen Hornkohl, who currently holds the temporary presidency of the bloc, said high food prices "oblige members of the CAS to develop a common analysis."

    "We have reached a consensus that the high food prices will bring opportunities and challenges to the CAS members, some important producers and others with a strong potential in food production," Hornkohl said.

    The current situation could be considered "as a great opportunity to improve agricultural productivity and the competitiveness in the South American countries," the minister said.

    During this two-day meeting, the authorities will share experience in public policies they have implemented in their countries and the future actions that will be adopted internally and regionally.

    The CAS was established in 2003, comprising Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.