Coffee, husks, skins and substitutes market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

After starting at 229 thousand tonnes in 2018, the Central American coffee market volume dropped to 193 thousand tonnes in 2019 amid geopolitical volatility and logistic risks that disrupted supply chains. The market rebounded to 229 thousand tonnes in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic altered consumption habits and reduced export flows, increasing domestic availability.

Market volume dipped again to 214 thousand tonnes in 2021 after El Salvador ratified the International Coffee Agreement 2022, which boosted export activity. However, in 2022 the volume rose to 231 thousand tonnes when historic international price hikes, driven by Middle East tensions and logistic disruptions, curtailed exports and left more coffee inside the region.

The upward trend accelerated in 2023, with market volume reaching 270 thousand tonnes. This growth was supported by continued Salvadoran government programs that provided seedlings and technology kits to coffee growers, alongside sustained high international prices that influenced production and trade patterns.

Production coffee, husks, skins and substitutes in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

World map of production of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

Coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes production in Central America declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1,069 thousand tonnes, marking a controlled reduction of 5.4% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.7%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 1,160 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 3.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes production in Central America saw an upturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 3,349 million US dollars, reflecting a modest year-on-year increase of 5.1%. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 12.2%, with an average annual decline of 4.2%. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 3,186 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest drop of 10.4%.

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

Exports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes exports from Central America totaled 866.0 thousand tonnes, representing an 11.0% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 11.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 3.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 2.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Germany, and Belgium were the primary destinations for coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes exports from Central America. The United States accounted for 35.5% of exports in kind, Germany for 13.6%, and Belgium for 11.9%, together making up 61.0% 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, M $ US

Coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes exports from Central America declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 2,714 million US dollars, down by 1.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 18.3%, with an average annual decline of 6.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States, Germany, and Belgium remained the key markets for exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 61.8% of total flows.

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 coffee, husks, skins and substitutes to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes imports into Central America declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 25.9 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp drop of 29.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 58.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 36.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 68.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes to Central America were distributed across many countries. Brazil accounted for 16.3% of imports, the United States for 15.4%, and Vietnam for 10.8%, together representing 42.5% of total 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

Following two years of growth, coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes imports into Central America declined. In 2020, imports totaled 105 million US dollars, indicating a robust reduction of 25.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 30.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 140 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 43.6%.

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

In 2017-2020, the United States, Brazil, and Vietnam formed the main group of sources for imports in value terms of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes to Central America. The United States accounted for 26.7% of imports, Brazil for 14.4%, and Vietnam for 9.2%, together making up 50.3% of total 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