Edible brassicas market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled edible brassicas in Latin America and the Caribbean declined from 1 881 thousand metric tons in 2018 to 1 203 thousand metric tons in 2022. This contraction was primarily driven by supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which temporarily hampered distribution, and by changes in market access policies that facilitated increased exports out of the region, particularly in 2021 and 2022.

A sharp recovery occurred in 2023, with the market volume jumping to 1 651 thousand metric tons. This rebound was supported by the implementation of new nutritional and origin labeling regulations in several Latin American countries, which affected product commercialization, and by enhanced collaboration between state-owned and private companies to improve cold storage and logistics infrastructure.

Throughout the period, underlying factors such as rising consumer preference for healthy, fresh foods, entry of new players increasing competition, diversification of fresh and chilled product offerings, and continued investment in refrigerated transportation and storage infrastructure provided a foundation for the market, even as external shocks and trade policy shifts caused temporary volatility in domestic availability.

Production edible brassicas in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

Latin America and the Caribbean saw a decline in edible brassicas production for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2,111 thousand tonnes, which was 3.2% lower than in 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.4%, averaging an annual decrease of 1.5%. The peak was reached in 2018 with 2,228 thousand tonnes, when production grew by 0.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In contrast, the value of edible brassicas production in Latin America and the Caribbean rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 2,748 million US dollars, marking a modest increase of 2.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2,585 million US dollars, when it declined by 0.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 3.8% rise.

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

Exports edible brassicas from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of edible brassicas from Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 438.9 thousand tonnes, up 2.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 25.7%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 7.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Canada together accounted for 80.3% of total edible brassicas exports from Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting a highly concentrated market.

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 edible brassicas exports from Latin America and the Caribbean also grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 571.4 million US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 8.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 39.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in value terms was dominated by a single market: the United States, which held a 94.3% share of total flows.

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 edible brassicas to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, imports of edible brassicas into Latin America and the Caribbean totaled 29.9 thousand tonnes, increasing by 10.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 12.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 33.3 thousand tonnes, when imports jumped by 25.4%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 18.8% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the primary source for imports in kind, accounting for 14.6% of total flows.

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, imports of edible brassicas into Latin America and the Caribbean fell in 2020. Imports amounted to 36.4 million US dollars, representing a sharp decrease of 28.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports overall increased by 7.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The peak value was in 2019 at 50.7 million US dollars, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 32.4% rise.

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 (61.4% of imports in value terms), Canada (0.8%), and the Netherlands (0.7%) were the leading sources in the import structure, together making up 63.0% of total flows.

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