Apples, pears and quinces market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh apples, pears and quinces in Central America experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After growing by 16% to 1 347.7 thousand tonnes in 2019, total market volume contracted over the next two years, falling to 1 046.3 thousand tonnes in 2021. A strong recovery followed, with the market expanding by 17% in 2022 and a further 7% in 2023, reaching 1 312.3 thousand tonnes.

These shifts were driven by parallel movements in domestic production and imports. Domestic output peaked at 921.1 thousand tonnes in 2023, following a 23% surge in 2022. Imports, which are crucial for market supply, fell sharply by 21% in 2021 but rebounded strongly with 20% growth in 2023, indicating recovering demand.

In 2024, imports continued to rise, increasing by 13% to 441.6 thousand tonnes. During this period, regional discussions highlighted the importance of reducing taxes on nutritious foods to stimulate consumption, given that price is a constraint for healthy diets. Furthermore, the Integral Agricultural Market Program (PIMA) provides seasonal price indices to improve market transparency for producers and traders, which can enhance supply chain efficiency.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

In 2019, Central America produced 861.2 thousand tons of apples, pears, and quinces, marking the highest output during the observed period. However, production declined to 814.8 thousand tons in 2020, a decrease of 5.4% from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 765.6 thousand tons. The most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, rising by 12.5%, while the largest decline was in 2018, dropping by 6.3%.

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

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility from 2017 to 2020. Export volumes reached their peak in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2018, with the peak volume being 2.9 times higher than the trough. In 2020, Central America exported 0.5 thousand tons of apples, pears, and quinces, an 18.3% decrease compared to 2019. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.4 thousand tons. The largest year-over-year decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 65.7%, while the most substantial increase was in 2019, rising by 84.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the primary destination for Central America's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in volume terms, accounting for 1.2% 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, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. The highest export value was observed in 2019, while the lowest occurred in 2018, with the peak value being 4.3 times greater than the trough. In 2020, the value of apples, pears, and quinces exported from Central America stood at 0.5 million US dollars, a significant decline of 66.8% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.3 million US dollars, and the maximum was in 2019 at 1.5 million US dollars. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, surging by 329.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States held the largest share in Central America's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms, representing 2.1% of total export flows.

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 apples, pears and quinces to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Central America imported 400.2 thousand tons of apples, pears, and quinces, a notable decline of 17.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.4%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 396.6 thousand tons, while the maximum was in 2019 at 487.2 thousand tons. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, rising by 22.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Central America's import structure for apples, pears, and quinces in volume terms, with a share of 85.8% of total import flows. Other markets contributed to a smaller portion of imports.

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

After two years of growth, imports of apples, pears, and quinces into Central America declined. In 2020, Central America imported 0.5 million US dollars worth of these fruits, down by 10.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.4%, equating to an annualized rate of -1.1%. The maximum import value was recorded in 2019 at 503.6 million US dollars. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, rising by 5.1%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the dominant partner for Central America's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms, accounting for 86.3% of total import flows. Other markets formed a long tail of smaller contributors.

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

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