Apples, pears and quinces market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market for fresh apples, pears and quinces in Latin America and the Caribbean grew overall from 5 010 thousand tons to 6 139 thousand tons, despite fluctuations in the intervening years. The volume peaked in 2023 after a sharp 19% year-on-year increase, marking the highest level recorded in the period.

The market's expansion to 6 139 thousand tons in 2023 was underpinned by a rise in imports to 1 211 thousand tons and a concurrent drop in exports to 372 thousand tons, while domestic production remained steady at 5 301 thousand tons. This change in trade dynamics significantly increased the net volume of fruit available for consumption within the region.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Latin America and the Caribbean

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 Latin America and the Caribbean, production of apples, pears, and quinces reached 5 200 K t in 2020, marking a modest 3.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 1.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, production value for apples, pears, and quinces in Latin America and the Caribbean rebounded. In 2020, output was valued at 6 342 M $ US, reflecting a moderate 3.4% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 22.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 133 M $ US, while the largest decline of 16.5% occurred in 2018.

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

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of apples, pears, and quinces from Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 882 K t, representing a solid 10.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 11%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 1 020 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 28.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia (11.0% of exports in kind), the United States (9.8% of exports in kind), and the Netherlands (5.7% of exports in kind) played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of apples, pears, and quinces from Latin America and the Caribbean. Their combined share accounted for only 26.6% of total exports in kind.

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

Export value of apples, pears, and quinces from Latin America and the Caribbean fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 076 M $ US, showing a modest 3.7% year-over-year drop. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 9.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 308 M $ US, with the largest decline of 14.5% in 2019 and the largest increase of 9.8% in 2018.

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

During 2017-2020, no single market dominated the export value of apples, pears, and quinces. The United States (12.2% of exports in value terms), Russia (9.7% of exports in value terms), and the Netherlands (6.5% of exports in value terms) together represented only 28.4% of total export value, with many smaller partners holding modest individual shares.

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 apples, pears and quinces to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean imported 848 K t of apples, pears, and quinces, corresponding to a robust 11.3% decline from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 722 K t, while the peak was in 2019 at 956 K t. The largest decline of 17.8% occurred in 2018, and the largest increase of 32.4% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (41.1% of imports in kind), Portugal (4.6% of imports in kind), and Italy (2.0% of imports in kind) were among the largest suppliers of apples, pears, and quinces to Latin America and the Caribbean. However, their combined share was just 47.7% of total imports in kind, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

After a two-year rise, imports of apples, pears, and quinces into Latin America and the Caribbean declined. In 2020, imports were approximately 1 027 M $ US, down by 4.0% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The highest value was in 2019 at 1 070 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 0.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States (46.4% of imports in value terms), Portugal (4.5% of imports in value terms), and Italy (2.1% of imports in value terms) remained key partners in import value, together accounting for 53.1% 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