Asparagus market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, South American asparagus production held steady near 390 thousand tons annually, supported by robust export demand. Peruvian shipments, a key component of regional trade, grew due to the product's recognized quality and strong international appetite, especially from the United States. This sustained export activity helped maintain production levels, while the domestic market volume gradually increased from 259 thousand tons to 269 thousand tons.

Market conditions shifted from 2021 onward. That year, logistical and production constraints led to a 7.6% decline in Peruvian air-freighted asparagus exports, signaling emerging supply chain pressures. By 2022, heightened competition from Mexico, which solidified its position as a global export leader through advanced agricultural technologies and efficient logistics, coincided with a reduction in South American export volumes. In 2023, significant logistical difficulties, including labor shortages and a lack of packaging materials, particularly impacted Peru, contributing to a regional production drop to 379 thousand tons and a sharp export fall to 97 thousand tons. As a result, more produce remained within the region, expanding the domestic market volume to 284 thousand tons.

Production asparagus in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of asparagus, 2017-2020

World map of production of asparagus, 2017-2020

Asparagus production in South America increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, South America produced 393.4 thousand tons of asparagus, showing a negligible year-over-year variation. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 389.4 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 4.2%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 0.7% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South America's asparagus production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 185 million US dollars, marking a 0.7% improvement from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 18%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 129 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 21.9%. The largest increase was in 2019 with a 4.3% rise.

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

Exports asparagus from South America

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, asparagus deliveries from South America declined. In 2020, exports reached 125.5 thousand tons, representing a moderate drop of 6.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 133.4 thousand tons, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 14.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant market for South American asparagus exports in kind, accounting for 70.9% of total flows, with a fragmented distribution among other markets.

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 exported 378.2 million US dollars worth of asparagus in 2020, amounting to a decline of 5.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 8%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 6.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 4.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands led the structure of asparagus exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 63.5% of exports, the United Kingdom for 10.2%, and the Netherlands for 9.7%, together representing 83.5% of total flows.

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 asparagus to South America

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign asparagus supplies to South America declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1.4 thousand tons, reflecting an abrupt drop of 32.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 25.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 2.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 21.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the key supplier of asparagus to South America, accounting for 1.0% of total imports in kind.

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

Imported asparagus volumes in South America declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, South America imported a total of 7.3 million US dollars worth of asparagus, corresponding to a decrease of 28.6% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 10.5 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 18.9%.

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

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

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