Carrots and turnips market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh carrots and turnips in Central America showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 380.6 thousand tons in 2018, market volume surged to a peak of 431.1 thousand tons in 2020 before contracting sharply to 333.3 thousand tons in 2021. The following years saw stabilization around 330 thousand tons in 2022 and a further decline to 318.0 thousand tons in 2023. In value terms, the market mirrored this pattern, dropping from $273.4 million in 2018 to $192.7 million in 2023.

Initiatives to incubate organic producers and natural food enterprises in Costa Rica during 2018 supported diversification and quality in the fresh vegetable sector. The steep market decline in 2021 aligned with a recognized need for deeper regional cooperation to transform Central America's agri-food systems, indicating a period of structural adjustment. By 2023, a significant price gap of ₡430 per kilo between carrot farmers and supermarkets in Costa Rica revealed supply chain inefficiencies, while the Caribbean's role as the primary export destination for Costa Rican carrots sustained high export volumes, reducing domestic availability and contributing to the smaller internal market size.

Recent trends include growing consumer preference for fresh vegetables at farmers' markets in Costa Rica's Greater Metropolitan Area and the use of a seasonal price calendar based on 2017-2024 data. Technical quality standards for fresh carrots and a focus on post-harvest quality continue to influence market offerings, pointing to an evolving landscape where direct sales channels and quality specifications are gaining prominence alongside strong export orientation.

Production carrots and turnips in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

World map of production of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

Carrot and turnip production in Central America has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 516.3 thousand tons, which represents a 3.2% year-over-year rise. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 475.5 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 2.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the highest increase at 5.2%.

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

Exports carrots and turnips from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Central America exported 110.3 thousand tons of carrots and turnips, marking a 10.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 4.4%, translating to an annualized decline of 1.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 103.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest drop of 10.5%. Conversely, 2019 recorded the highest export volume at 123.1 thousand tons, with the largest increase of 19.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana were the key destinations for Central America's carrot and turnip exports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 63.5% of exports, followed by Trinidad and Tobago at 4.3%, and Guyana at 1.2%. Together, these three markets represented 69.0% 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, K $ US

After rising for two consecutive years, carrot and turnip exports from Central America declined in 2020. Export value stood at 72 255 thousand US dollars, showing a significant decrease of 12.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports increased by 23.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 82 219 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 27.2% in 2018.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States dominated Central America's carrot and turnip export market in value terms, holding an 81.8% share of total flows. Other markets played a relatively minor role in comparison.

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 carrots and turnips to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for carrots and turnips in Central America showed volatility during the observed period. Import volumes fluctuated significantly, with a 27-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2020, imports reached 25.1 thousand tons, a sharp increase of 2,641.5% compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 0.9 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 88.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the leading supplier of carrots and turnips to Central America in volume terms, accounting for 8.6% of total 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, K $ US

Carrot and turnip imports into Central America have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value totaled 17 113 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 136.2% year-over-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 319.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 61.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the largest source of carrot and turnip imports into Central America in value terms, capturing 29.3% of total import flows.

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

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