Citrus fruit market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Central American citrus fruit market expanded steadily. Early on, quality requirements for peel thickness, TSS/acidity, and appearance guided variety selection and farming practices. Meanwhile, growing consumer interest in functional foods like natural fruit juices boosted demand for citrus for juice production. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated the shift toward online fruit and vegetable purchases and reinforced health-conscious consumption, supporting market growth.

The market dipped in 2021 due to volatile food prices that eroded household purchasing power and weighed on demand. Recovery began in 2022 after the Executive Decree No. 43838 simplified the registration of agrochemicals and aimed to reduce their toxicity, directly improving production conditions for citrus growers. In 2023, ongoing organic and sustainability certification programs under Organic Agriculture Regulation No. 29782-MAG encouraged more organic citrus production, while a Constitutional Court ruling kept nutritional warning labels visible on juice and nectar packaging, influencing consumer preferences.

Production citrus fruit in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Central America's citrus fruit production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 20 390 thousand tons of citrus fruit, which represents a 2.2% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of citrus fruit production in Central America reached 22 284 million US dollars, up 9.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 13.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 22 298 million US dollars, following a 13.1% increase that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline, with a drop of 9.1%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Central America's citrus fruit exports declined in 2020. The export volume fell to 520.8 thousand tons, down 13.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 3.4%, with an average annual decline of 1.1%. The peak volume was in 2019 at 603.2 thousand tons, which followed a 10.1% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant destination for Central America's citrus fruit exports in volume terms, accounting for 76.3% of total shipments. Other countries each held much smaller shares.

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, M $ US

Central America's citrus fruit exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 569.1 million US dollars, a modest decrease of 7.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 3.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 616.6 million US dollars, following a 12.2% increase that year.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States accounted for 89.5% of Central America's citrus fruit exports in value terms, with the remaining flows distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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 citrus fruit to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

Central America's citrus fruit imports in volume terms fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 45.8 thousand tons, a 14.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume increased by 14.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.6%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 56.8 thousand tons, following a 41.8% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Peru, and Spain were the leading sources of citrus fruit imports to Central America in volume terms. The United States accounted for 13.0% of imports, Peru for 4.4%, and Spain for 1.7%, together making up 19.1% of total import flows.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Central America's citrus fruit imports in value terms stood at 61.0 million US dollars, marking a 23.4% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 71.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 7.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 49.3% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States, Peru, and Spain were the top sources of citrus fruit imports to Central America in value terms. The United States accounted for 37.8% of imports, Peru for 14.6%, and Spain for 6.1%, collectively representing 58.4% 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