Fresh grapes market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh grapes in Central America experienced gradual growth from 2018 to 2020, with volume rising from 465.1 thousand tons to 469.4 thousand tons. This period was followed by a notable surge in 2021, when the market expanded to 541.8 thousand tons. However, this peak was short-lived as volume contracted to 502.6 thousand tons in 2022 and then fell sharply to 312.0 thousand tons by 2023.

Production faced significant headwinds from agronomic factors, particularly in 2020 when unfavorable climatic conditions—including high temperatures, humidity, and rain during flowering—adversely affected grape quality and yield in countries like Costa Rica. This contributed to a decline in domestic output that year and aligned with a broader downward trend in the region's agro-industrial production, which averaged a 5.9% decrease between 2020 and 2024.

In response to these challenges, Central American producers intensified efforts to bolster export opportunities. Costa Rican companies, for example, actively participated in international trade events such as Fruit Logística to strengthen commercial ties and promote fresh grape shipments. Concurrently, warnings from the Central Bank of Costa Rica about a potential crisis in the agricultural sector underscored the persistent vulnerabilities that influenced the market's contraction through 2023.

Production fresh grapes in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

Fresh grape production in Central America declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 493.4 thousand tons, but then fell by 4.0% to 473.9 thousand tons in 2020. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 11.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 9.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of fresh grape production in Central America was 1 046 million US dollars, marking a slight increase of 1.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 23.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.4%, while the most significant increase happened in 2018, with a jump of 22.9%.

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

Exports fresh grapes from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Central America exported 125.4 thousand tons of fresh grapes, a decrease of 9.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 2.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 85.1 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 139.3 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 30.4%, and the biggest increase was in 2019, rising by 63.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States accounted for nearly all of Central America's fresh grape exports in volume, with a share of 97.6% of total shipments.

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

In 2020, the value of fresh grape exports from Central America was 276.8 million US dollars, down 5.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 13.7%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 196.0 million US dollars, and the highest in 2019 at 291.9 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2018, dropping by 19.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, surging by 49.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, fresh grapes from Central America were primarily exported to the United States, which accounted for 97.5% of total export value.

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 fresh grapes to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

Fresh grape imports into Central America increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached approximately 121.0 thousand tons, up 6.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 16.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 99.1 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 4.6%, and the biggest increase was in 2019, rising by 14.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States, Peru, and Chile were the main sources for fresh grape imports into Central America by volume. The United States accounted for 53.4% of imports, Peru for 24.2%, and Chile for 20.1%, together representing 97.8% 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

Fresh grape imports into Central America increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 272.6 million US dollars, showing a strong improvement of 10.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 22.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Peru, and Chile led the structure of fresh grape imports into Central America by value. The United States accounted for 55.0% of import value, Peru for 23.4%, and Chile for 19.4%, together making up 97.8% 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