Apple market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the fresh apple market in South America experienced moderate fluctuations. In 2018, sanitary controls and trade barriers limited access to external markets, affecting export dynamics. The following year, market volume grew to 3.2 million tons without major reported disruptions. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a drop in production and consumption, reducing the market volume to 3.1 million tons.

Post-pandemic recovery expectations contributed to a rebound in 2021, with market volume reaching 3.3 million tons. The trend reversed in 2022 when internal consumption fell by 7% and a larger share of the crop—41%—was diverted to processing due to lower fruit quality, shrinking the fresh market to 3.0 million tons.

A 25% increase in the commercial harvest in 2023 drove the fresh apple market volume sharply upward to 3.8 million tons, despite ongoing quality issues and demand-side constraints. For 2024, factors point to continued production and export growth in Argentina and the United States, supported by tariff reductions that are stimulating international trade.

Production apple in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

Apple production in South America has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, South America produced 3,379 thousand tonnes of apples, marking a moderate decrease of 5.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South America's apple production value has also declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 4,209 million US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 2.2% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 14.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.0%.

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

Exports apple from South America

Exports in kind, K t

Apple exports from South America have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 560.6 thousand tonnes, down by 9.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 5.7%, with a CAGR of -1.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 687.9 thousand tonnes, following a 15.7% increase that year. However, exports saw their largest decline in 2019, dropping by 10.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South America's apple exports in volume terms were distributed across many markets. The United States accounted for 9.1% of exports, the Netherlands for 5.7%, and Russia for 5.6%, with these three countries together making up only 20.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

South America's apple export value has also declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 698.5 million US dollars, representing a measured fall of 6.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 11.6%, with a CAGR of -4.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 883.1 million US dollars, after an 11.8% increase that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 15.6%.

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

The market base for South America's apple exports in value terms was broad from 2017 to 2020. The United States accounted for 11.6% of export value, the Netherlands for 6.5%, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) for 6.3%, with these three together comprising just 24.4% of total flows. The remaining 75.6% was shared among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports apple to South America

Imports in kind, K t

Apple imports into South America have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 299.9 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate uptick of 7.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 55.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.8%.

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

The market base for South America's apple imports in volume terms was wide from 2017 to 2020. The United States accounted for 6.4% of imports, Italy for 4.9%, and France for 3.4%, with these three countries together making up only 14.7% of total import flows. The remaining 85.3% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Apple imports into South America have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 344.8 million US dollars, up by 13.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 9.7%, with a CAGR of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 299.0 million US dollars, following a 4.8% decline that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South America's apple imports in value terms relied on a wide range of partner countries. The United States accounted for 9.2% of import value, Italy for 6.0%, and France for 4.5%, with these three together taking just 19.7% of total import flows.

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

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