Cauliflowers and broccoli market in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the market volume for fresh or chilled cauliflowers and headed broccoli in Latin America and the Caribbean decreased from 1 008 thousand tons to 563 thousand tons. This decline was primarily driven by a sharp rise in exports, which grew from 273 thousand tons to 588 thousand tons. The export surge was facilitated by a network of free trade agreements, especially between Mexico and the United States, granting duty-free access to the largest market. Concurrently, increasing U.S. demand for healthy foods like broccoli and cauliflower incentivized producers to prioritize exports, reducing domestic availability. The entry of new processors in 2019 and the diversification of processed products further reinforced this export-oriented shift.

In 2023, the market volume rebounded to 851 thousand tons, coinciding with a production increase to 1 218 thousand tons and a drop in exports to 392 thousand tons. While specific factors for this year are not highlighted, the ongoing expansion of cultivated area in Mexico—particularly in Guanajuato and Puebla—and sustained consumer preference for fresh, healthy produce in the region supported greater local supply.

Production cauliflowers and broccoli in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cauliflowers and broccoli, 2017-2020

World map of production of cauliflowers and broccoli, 2017-2020

Latin America and the Caribbean saw a decline in cauliflower and broccoli production for the second year in a row. In 2019, production reached 1 249 K t, but by 2020 it had dropped to 1 170 K t, marking a moderate decrease of 6.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 4.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The peak was in 2018 at 1 267 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 12.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of cauliflower and broccoli production in Latin America and the Caribbean rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 703 M $ US, up 6.3% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 18.3%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 5.8%.

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

Exports cauliflowers and broccoli from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, cauliflower and broccoli exports from Latin America and the Caribbean fell in 2020. Exports dropped to 266.5 K t, a measured decline of 8.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 17.4%, with an average annual rate of 5.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 289.7 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 20.4%.

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 and Canada were the primary destinations for cauliflower and broccoli exports from Latin America and the Caribbean, together accounting for 91.4% of total export volumes.

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

The value of cauliflower and broccoli exports from Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 387.9 M $ US, showing a gradual rise of 4.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 33.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States was the main market for cauliflower and broccoli exports from Latin America and the Caribbean, consistently absorbing 95.7% of total export value.

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 cauliflowers and broccoli to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

Cauliflower and broccoli imports into Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 9.4 K t, a sharp drop of 20.3% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 41.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 16.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States and China were the key sources for cauliflower and broccoli imports into Latin America and the Caribbean, jointly representing 30.9% of total import volumes.

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 two years of growth, cauliflower and broccoli imports into Latin America and the Caribbean declined in 2020. Imports fell to 17.3 M $ US, a significant loss of 30.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 7.5%, with an average annual rate of 2.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 24.8 M $ US, and the largest annual increase was in 2018 at 37.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and China remained the leading suppliers of cauliflower and broccoli to Latin America and the Caribbean, together making up 75.6% of total import value.

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