Apple juice market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The Central American unfermented apple juice market saw significant volume fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Market consumption surged by 43% in 2019 to 70 636 thousand liters, coinciding with new Costa Rican regulations that took effect in May 2019. These rules, covering juices and dairy products, altered market entry conditions for fruit juices, likely facilitating increased import volumes that drove overall market growth.

After the 2019 peak, market volume contracted to 58 375 thousand liters in 2020 and stabilized near 57 000 thousand liters in 2021. A recovery began in 2022, with volume reaching 65 571 thousand liters, followed by a modest rise to 67 705 thousand liters in 2023. In value terms, the market expanded from 65.9 million USD in 2018 to 97.4 million USD in 2023, reflecting higher average prices, particularly during 2022 and 2023.

Production apple juice in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K l

Top producers of apple juice, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple juice, 2017-2020

In 2019, Central America produced 51,591 thousand liters of apple juice, reaching the highest level in the period. However, production declined to 50,885 thousand liters in 2020, representing a 1.4% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader trend from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.8%, which translates to an average annual increase of 4.1%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 44,942 thousand liters. The most significant year-on-year growth occurred in 2019, with a 14.8% increase.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, apple juice production in Central America experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 42,735 thousand US dollars, marking an 11.8% drop from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 12.3%, averaging 3.9% growth per year. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 48,443 thousand US dollars. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, with a 14.2% rise.

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

Exports apple juice from Central America

Exports in kind, K l

In 2020, Central America exported 19,734 thousand liters of apple juice, which represents a 15.7% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 16.5%, with an average annual reduction of 5.8%. The most notable increase in exports occurred in 2019, with a 10.2% growth.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Between 2017 and 2020, the Dominican Republic, the United States, and Cuba were the primary destinations for Central America's apple juice exports in volume terms. The Dominican Republic accounted for 8.1% of exports, the United States for 7.1%, and Cuba for 2.2%. Together, these three markets represented 17.4% of total export flows.

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, K $ US

After two years of expansion, apple juice exports from Central America contracted. In 2020, export value totaled 16,573 thousand US dollars, showing a significant 24.6% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 16.9%, with an average annual decline of 6.0%. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 21,974 thousand US dollars. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, with a 7.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Dominican Republic, the United States, and Cuba were the leading buyers of Central American apple juice in value terms. The Dominican Republic represented 8.4% of exports, the United States 6.6%, and Cuba 2.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 17.1% 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 apple juice to Central America

Imports in kind, K l

In 2020, Central America imported apple juice totaling 25,000 thousand liters, which represents a 41.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 26.9%, with an average annual reduction of 9.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 42,447 thousand liters. The most substantial annual increase occurred in 2019, with a 65.5% growth.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of apple juice into Central America were distributed across multiple countries without a single dominant supplier. Chile accounted for 17.4% of imports, the United States for 13.5%, and Poland for 4.0%. Together, these three countries represented 34.9% of total import flows, with the remaining 65.1% spread across various other partners.

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, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Central America's apple juice imports declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 26,717 thousand US dollars, down 43.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 32.7%, with an average annual decline of 12.3%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 46,900 thousand US dollars. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, with a 9.1% rise.

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

An analysis of import values from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across numerous markets. Chile accounted for 26.1% of imports, the United States for 16.4%, and Poland for 5.8%. Together, these three countries represented 48.3% of total import flows, while the remaining 51.7% was distributed among various other trading partners.

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

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