Concentrated sweetened milk and cream market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Central America saw its physical volume grow from 68 430 t in 2018 to 77 073 t in 2023, despite a contraction to 65 591 t in 2020. Domestic production provided a steady foundation for this expansion, increasing from 64 392 t to 72 768 t over the same period.

In value terms, the market demonstrated robust growth, rising from $166.7 million in 2018 to $285.6 million in 2023. The most pronounced increase occurred in 2021, when the market value jumped to $214.2 million, signaling a combination of higher volumes and increased unit prices or a shift in the product mix.

For 2024, global factors such as supply chain stability and sustained demand from the baking and beverage sectors continued to influence market dynamics. Consumer preference for convenient packaging formats and established brands also supported the product's sustained popularity in the region.

Production concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

Central America's production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 66 508 tonnes, marking a slight increase of 2.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%.

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

Exports concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Central America

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 7 289 tonnes, then surged to 15 020 tonnes in 2020, representing a sharp increase of 106.1% compared to the previous year. This created a 2.1-fold difference between the minimum in 2019 and the peak in 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 15.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Cuba were the two primary destinations for exports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 65.8% of total flows, while Cuba represented 1.7%, together making up 67.6% of all 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 market displayed volatility over the observed period. Exports in value terms hit their lowest point in 2017, then climbed to 28 990 thousand US dollars in 2020, reflecting a substantial increase of 91.0% compared to the previous year. This resulted in a 2.3-fold variation between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2020. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when export value dropped by 26.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States and Cuba formed the main group of markets for exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 72.8% 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 concentrated sweetened milk and cream to Central America

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream into Central America rebounded. The volume reached its lowest point in 2019 at 12 582 tonnes, then increased to 14 104 tonnes in 2020, up 12.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 8.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile, the United States, and the Netherlands were the main sources for imports in volume terms. Chile accounted for 41.2% of imports, the United States for 10.9%, and the Netherlands for 10.5%, together representing 62.7% 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, K $ US

Imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream into Central America increased for the second consecutive year. The value stood at its lowest in 2018 at 20 836 thousand US dollars, then rose to 24 172 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a robust uptick of 14.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 3.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, when import value dropped by 11.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Chile, the United States, and the Netherlands formed the core of imports in value terms. Chile accounted for 40.0% of imports, the United States for 14.7%, and the Netherlands for 11.2%, together taking 65.9% 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