Market research

Apple market in Central America

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Central America" region includes following countries:

Belize

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Earlier Report Observations

The apple market in Central America began the period with a volume of 1040.7 thousand tons in 2018, supported by a technical cooperation agreement signed in late 2017 to promote a wholesale market model in Costa Rica, which enhanced agricultural market infrastructure. Market volume grew to 1202.2 thousand tons in 2019, coinciding with regional agricultural exports reaching nearly USD 18 billion, highlighting the sector's economic importance.

In 2020, the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica defined the basic basket, including apples as a high-consumption product, aiming to regulate and promote fresh fruit consumption. However, market volume contracted to 1103.0 thousand tons that year and further to 955.8 thousand tons in 2021, a period marked by regional recognition of the need to transform agri-food systems due to climate change and food security challenges.

A recovery emerged in 2022, with volume rising to 1135.5 thousand tons as consumer trends shifted towards functionality, freshness, and authenticity of local food. Growth continued in 2023, reaching 1204.1 thousand tons. For 2024, factors included high consumer preference for apples at farmers' markets, with over 60% of respondents mentioning them, and the publication of a seasonality and price calendar for 2025 based on historical data, providing insights for market planning.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Central America
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production apple in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2018, Central America's apple production hit its lowest point at 730.4 thousand tons, followed by a significant 13.6% increase to 830.1 thousand tons in 2019. In 2020, production declined moderately by 5.7% to 783.1 thousand tons. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 6.9% decrease.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.9%)	13.6%	(5.7%)	(0.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports apple from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2018, apple exports from Central America reached their minimum at 0.3 thousand tons, marking a substantial 64.2% decline. The following year saw a strong recovery with a 61.2% increase. By 2020, exports stood at 0.5 thousand tons, showing a moderate 4.6% year-on-year decrease. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 45%, averaging an 18.1% annual decline.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(64.2%)	61.2%	(4.6%)	(18.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the primary buyer of apples from Central America, consistently accounting for 1.3% of total export volumes.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2018, the value of apple exports from Central America dropped to its lowest at 0.3 million US dollars. The following year, exports surged by 342.4% to reach a peak of 1.4 million US dollars. By 2020, the value fell sharply by 67.0% to 0.4 million US dollars, reflecting significant market volatility with a 4.4-fold difference between the 2018 low and 2019 high.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(61.0%)	342.4%	(67.0%)	(17.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the leading buyer of Central American apples in value terms, representing 2.3% of total export earnings.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports apple to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

In 2018, apple imports into Central America were at their lowest at 310.7 thousand tons, after a 14.5% decline. Imports then rose by 20.0% in 2019 to a peak of 372.7 thousand tons. By 2020, imports contracted robustly by 14.0% to 320.4 thousand tons. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.8%, with an average annual decline of 4.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(14.5%)	20.0%	(14.0%)	(4.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated apple imports into Central America in volume, accounting for 85.6% of total flows, while other markets held smaller shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2018, the value of apple imports into Central America increased by 2.5%, followed by a peak of 385.8 million US dollars in 2019. After this two-year gain, imports fell by 8.2% in 2020 to 354.3 million US dollars. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.5%	0.7%	(8.2%)	(1.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States was the dominant source for apple imports into Central America in value terms, making up 86.2% of total imports, with other countries contributing relatively minor amounts.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io