Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Central American market for coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews contracted steadily, with volume falling from 1 306 thousand tonnes to 1 192 thousand tonnes. Production followed a similar decline, dropping from 1 312 thousand tonnes to 1 214 thousand tonnes over the same period.

The market partially rebounded in 2022, reaching 1 249 thousand tonnes, as production increased to 1 278 thousand tonnes. However, this recovery was offset by a continued surge in exports, which grew from 9 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 35 thousand tonnes by 2023, reducing the supply available for domestic consumption.

By 2023, market volume settled at 1 228 thousand tonnes, marking a 6% decrease compared to 2018. Exports remained at 35 thousand tonnes in 2024, indicating sustained external demand, while imports stayed negligible throughout the entire period.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

Central America's production of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 209 thousand tonnes, which represents a 2.6% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 7.8%, averaging an annual decline of 2.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 312 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 5.3% decrease, while the largest increase was a modest 0.1% in 2018.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from Central America

Exports in kind, t

Central America's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 14 300 tonnes, showing a strong growth of 17.5% compared to 2019. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports actually decreased by 39.3%, with an average annual decline of 15.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 8 842 tonnes. The sharpest decline happened in 2018 with a 62.5% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 37.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands were the main buyers of Central American coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews. The United States accounted for 66.3% of exports in volume, Canada for 5.2%, and the Netherlands for 4.4%. Together, these three countries represented 75.8% of total exports.

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

The value of Central America's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 13 550 thousand US dollars, marking a 2.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value fell by 30.8%, with an average annual decline of 11.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States dominated the export market in value terms, absorbing 81.3% of total flows. The remaining exports were distributed among numerous smaller 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 coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to Central America

Imports in kind, t

Central America's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 2 429 tonnes, reflecting a substantial decrease of 19.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.1%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 145 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 17.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in volume terms were quite scattered among various countries. The Philippines accounted for 25.9% of imports, Brazil for 10.3%, and Vietnam for 8.4%. Together, these three countries made up 44.7% of total imports, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

Central America's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in value terms have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 9 305 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial decrease of 19.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 27.3%, with an average annual decline of 10.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 19 011 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 39.5% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 48.6% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Vietnam, and the Philippines formed the core of Central America's imports in value terms. Brazil accounted for 34.1% of imports, Vietnam for 25.6%, and the Philippines for 20.4%. Together, these three countries represented 80.1% 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