Alliaceous vegetables market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh alliaceous vegetables in Latin America and the Caribbean expanded from 6.8 million tons in 2018 to 7.2 million tons in 2023, despite a temporary contraction in 2020. Initial growth was driven by rising consumer preference for fresh and healthy foods, supported by increased production in key exporting regions such as Sinaloa and Sonora in Mexico. Technological advances in preservation and distribution, including controlled atmosphere systems, extended product shelf life and reduced waste, further supporting market activity.

Market volume dipped in 2020, even as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified health concerns and accelerated the adoption of e-commerce for fresh produce. Recovery from 2021 onward was strengthened by a rise in local and regional vegetable production, the emergence of convenient hygienized and minimally processed product segments, and regulatory pushes for sustainable agricultural practices. Subsequent growth was additionally fueled by the expanding plant-based food trend, which raised demand for alliaceous vegetables as ingredients, alongside greater investment in supply-chain traceability technologies like blockchain.

By 2023, consumer shifts toward organic and locally sourced vegetables, coupled with new regulations targeting plastic reduction in packaging, continued to shape market expansion. The steady growth of online grocery platforms also improved accessibility to fresh alliaceous vegetables across the region, aligning with broader preferences for sustainability and convenience.

Production alliaceous vegetables in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

Production of alliaceous vegetables in Latin America and the Caribbean has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 6 970 K t of alliaceous vegetables, marking a modest decrease of 3.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of alliaceous vegetables in Latin America and the Caribbean was valued at 4 474 M $ US, representing a 5.6% decline from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 2.8%, with a CAGR of -0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 409 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 4 738 M $ US. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 7.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports alliaceous vegetables from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, the volume of alliaceous vegetables exported from Latin America and the Caribbean increased in 2020. Exports reached 1 287 K t, showing a solid growth of 21.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 10.9%, with a CAGR of 3.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 063 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 6.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (67.7% of exports in kind), Spain (3.3% of exports in kind), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (0.7% of exports in kind) were the key destinations for exports in kind, collectively accounting for 71.6% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of alliaceous vegetables exports from Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 825.9 M $ US, up 18.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 15.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.9%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 683.5 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States (63.0% of exports in value terms), Spain (2.9% of exports in value terms), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (1.0% of exports in value terms) formed the key group of partners for exports in value terms, jointly representing 66.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports alliaceous vegetables to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

The volume of alliaceous vegetables imports into Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports registered 781 K t, corresponding to a solid advance of 13.0% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 36.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China (21.6% of imports in kind), the United States (14.3% of imports in kind), and the Netherlands (13.5% of imports in kind) were the principal suppliers of alliaceous vegetables to Latin America and the Caribbean, jointly accounting for 49.4% of total imports in kind.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Alliaceous vegetables imports into Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported approximately 688.4 M $ US of alliaceous vegetables, indicating an uptick of 15.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 16.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 457.1 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 22.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 30.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, China (31.9% of imports in value terms), the United States (13.0% of imports in value terms), and the Netherlands (7.0% of imports in value terms) made the biggest contribution to imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 51.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020