Alliaceous vegetables market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the market for alliaceous vegetables in Central America expanded from 1 375 thousand tons to 1 498 thousand tons. This growth was supported by steady consumer preferences for fresh vegetables at farmer's markets and sociocultural factors such as family habits and nutritional awareness, which sustained demand.

After a temporary contraction to 1 412 thousand tons in 2020, the market recovered to 1 622 thousand tons in 2021, demonstrating resilient demand amid fluctuations in production and supply conditions.

Accelerated growth followed from 2022 to 2023, with the market reaching 1 965 thousand tons in 2023. This surge was primarily driven by digitalization, as consumers increasingly adopted e-commerce for fresh produce purchases and sellers implemented digital marketing while adapting physical stores to support online orders.

Production alliaceous vegetables in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

Central America's production of alliaceous vegetables rebounded in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. The region produced 1 996 thousand tons that year, marking a 1.5% increase from 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 4.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 966 thousand tons, when output fell by 4.0%—the steepest drop during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of alliaceous vegetables production in Central America declined in 2020. Output was valued at 1 072 million US dollars that year, representing a 3.7% decrease compared to 2019. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 1 112 million US dollars, when production surged by 10.5%—the largest annual increase observed.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports alliaceous vegetables from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Central America's exports of alliaceous vegetables recovered in 2020 after two years of contraction. Export volume reached 812.7 thousand tons, showing a significant 20.9% increase from 2019. Despite this recent growth, exports decreased by 6.1% overall between 2017 and 2020, averaging a 2.1% annual decline. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 672.0 thousand tons, when shipments fell by 16.7%—the most substantial drop during this period.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Central America's alliaceous vegetables exports in volume terms, accounting for 93.1% of total shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central America in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of alliaceous vegetables exports from Central America reached 436.2 million US dollars, reflecting a robust 14.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 12.2%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 380.3 million US dollars, when exports declined by 4.2%—the only decrease observed during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States was the nearly exclusive destination for Central America's alliaceous vegetables exports in value terms, capturing 96.1% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central America in value, 2017-2020

Imports alliaceous vegetables to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

Central America's imports of alliaceous vegetables grew for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import volume reached 228.8 thousand tons, showing a solid 12.2% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 23.4%, averaging 7.3% annual growth. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 134.8 thousand tons, when imports fell by 27.3%—the steepest decline. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, when imports jumped by 51.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (47.7% of import volume), the Netherlands (11.0%), and China (8.0%) remained the key sources for Central America's alliaceous vegetables imports, together accounting for 66.6% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central America in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Central America's imports of alliaceous vegetables continued to grow in 2020, marking the second consecutive year of expansion. Import value reached 162.6 million US dollars, representing a substantial 11.6% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 26.9%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 8.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 105.1 million US dollars, when imports declined by 18.0%—the only decrease. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when import value surged by 38.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, the United States (46.9% of import value), Chile (14.7%), and China (14.0%) consistently led Central America's alliaceous vegetables imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 75.6% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central America in value, 2017-2020