Frozen preserved vegetables market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The frozen preserved vegetables market in Central America contracted from 365 thousand tons in 2018 to 284 thousand tons in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted supply chains from producers to retailers in 2020, limiting market volume despite increased consumer interest in frozen foods as a convenient and healthy alternative.

Market volume rebounded sharply to 378 thousand tons in 2021, driven by the entry of new players and strategic alliances that expanded product offerings. Changing consumer preferences toward healthy, convenient, and plant-based foods, along with the growth of e-commerce channels, supported this recovery.

The market stabilized near 378 thousand tons in 2022 as investments in cold storage infrastructure and logistics improved distribution. Further growth to 411 thousand tons in 2023 was fueled by innovations in processing and packaging, as well as rising demand for ready-to-cook frozen products driven by fast-paced lifestyles.

Production frozen preserved vegetables in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen preserved vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen preserved vegetables, 2017-2020

In 2019, Central America produced 35,683 tonnes of frozen preserved vegetables, the lowest level in recent years. Production then increased slightly to 35,816 tonnes in 2020, showing no significant change from the previous year. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production declined by 16.8%, with an average annual decrease of 6.0%. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 49,234 tonnes. That year saw the largest increase of 14.3%, while 2019 experienced the steepest decline of 27.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Frozen preserved vegetable production in Central America declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at $72,428 thousand, down 7.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 19.9%, with an average annual decline of 7.1%.

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

Exports frozen preserved vegetables from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest level was recorded in 2018 at 2.9 thousand tonnes, while exports peaked in 2020 at 48.3 thousand tonnes - a 17-fold difference between these years. The 2020 figure represented an 11.2% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 91.4%, while 2019 saw the most significant increase of 1,393.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated frozen preserved vegetable exports from Central America, accounting for 98.3% of total export volumes.

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

Export values exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $5.2 million, while 2020 saw peak exports of $97.6 million - a 19-fold difference. The 2020 figure represented a modest 2.2% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 92.7%, while 2019 experienced the most substantial increase of 1,746.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States accounted for virtually all frozen preserved vegetable exports from Central America in value terms, with a 98.4% share 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 frozen preserved vegetables to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Central America's imports of frozen preserved vegetables declined in 2020. Imports reached 296.8 thousand tonnes that year, representing a 14.1% decrease from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 345.4 thousand tonnes, which marked an 8.4% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Canada were the primary sources for frozen preserved vegetable imports into Central America, together accounting for 81.3% of total import volumes. Other trading partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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, Central America's frozen preserved vegetable imports declined in 2020. Import value reached $314.8 million that year, down 17.1% from 2019. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at $379.7 million, which represented a 12.8% increase from the previous year.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States and Canada played the leading roles in frozen preserved vegetable imports into Central America in value terms, together accounting for 84.7% of total flows. The remainder was distributed among other trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central America in value, 2017-2020