Cassava market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the cassava market volume in Latin America and the Caribbean remained stable at around 26.5 million tons. This stability was underpinned by the expansion of cassava production in the region, particularly in Brazil and Colombia, for both human consumption and animal feed. Reduced subsidies for competing products improved cassava's competitiveness, while the cassava starch industry grew with a shift toward higher-value modified and hydrolyzed starches.

Market volume increased to 26.8 million tons by 2021, driven by continued expansion of cassava use for feed in Paraguay, Colombia, and Brazil, along with the development of drying and processing technologies for dried cassava chunks. Producer investments in high-yield varieties and the expansion of processing facilities enhanced market access. Simultaneously, the frozen cassava products segment grew in line with urbanization trends and consumer preference for convenient, ready-to-cook items.

After a decline to 25.5 million tons in 2022, the market recovered to 26.5 million tons in 2023. That year, cassava processing in Brazil reached record levels, fueled by strong demand for starch and flour, though dry and warm weather affected output. By 2024, production in Brazil and Argentina showed signs of increase, and global demand for gluten-free ingredients continued to support cassava processing in the region.

Production cassava in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cassava, 2017-2020

World map of production of cassava, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, cassava production in Latin America and the Caribbean rebounded. In 2019, production reached its lowest point at 26 396 thousand tonnes, but then increased by 1.4% in 2020 to 26 769 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 2.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cassava production in Latin America and the Caribbean was $19 816 million, representing a 13.6% decrease from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $17 993 million, while the peak occurred in 2019 at $22 923 million. From 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 11.4%, averaging an annual decrease of 4.0%. The sharpest decline was in 2018 at 19.6%, followed by the largest increase in 2019 at 27.4%.

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

Exports cassava from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean exported 133.2 thousand tonnes of cassava, marking a modest increase of 7.5% from the previous year. Exports peaked in 2018 at 137.5 thousand tonnes, then fell by 9.8% in 2019. The most significant growth was in 2018 at 21.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 18.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, the Netherlands, and Spain were the top buyers of cassava from Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 79.8% of total exports by volume. The United States led with 64.5% of exports, followed by the Netherlands at 9.2% and Spain at 6.1%.

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

Cassava exports from Latin America and the Caribbean were valued at $98.6 million in 2020, down 8.4% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at $107.6 million, which also saw the largest increase of 15.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 6.1%, averaging 2.0% per year.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States, the Netherlands, and Spain remained the primary markets for cassava exports from Latin America and the Caribbean by value, collectively representing 82.0% of total flows. The United States accounted for 65.0%, the Netherlands for 10.1%, and Spain for 6.9%.

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 cassava to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, cassava imports into Latin America and the Caribbean declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 2.6 thousand tonnes, but then dropped sharply by 67.3% in 2020 to 0.8 thousand tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 21.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 58.8%, with an average annual decrease of 25.6%.

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 was the largest source of cassava imports by volume into Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 2.7% of total imports.

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

Cassava imports into Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled $2.6 million, a decrease of 12.5% from 2019. The highest value was in 2018 at $3.5 million, which also saw the largest increase of 27.3%. The most significant decline was in 2019 at 12.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 3.0%, averaging a 1.0% annual decline.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Indonesia were the main sources of cassava imports by value into Latin America and the Caribbean, together accounting for 20.1% of total imports.

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