Hop cones and lupulin market in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The hop cones and lupulin market in Latin America and the Caribbean saw its volume decline from 5 150 t in 2018 to 4 987 t in 2020. This contraction coincided with a reduction in imports of fresh hop cones into Brazil, the region's largest market, driven by a global supply surplus particularly from the United States. During this period, the expansion of Brazil's craft beer sector, with a rising number of breweries especially in the South and Southeast, fueled interest in domestic hop cultivation. Initial investments by small growers and research into adapting varieties like Cascade and Chinook to tropical conditions began laying the groundwork for local production.

Market volume surged to 6 637 t by 2022, a sharp increase primarily driven by the rapid growth of Brazil's craft beer industry. The number of breweries in the country grew by 74% between 2018 and 2021, significantly boosting demand for hops. Despite improving quality and comparable essential oil profiles in locally grown hops, nearly all hops used in brewing remained imported, sustaining high import volumes to meet the heightened demand from the expanding brewery segment.

In 2023, the market volume decreased to 5 724 t. Although Brazilian hop production continued to grow with gains in productivity, richer lupulin content, and the pioneering role of certified seedling nurseries, domestic market bottlenecks emerged. An estimated 18% of growers faced challenges in commercializing their output, and sales were largely confined to craft brewers valuing aroma hops. Concurrently, the ongoing global market saturation and structural oversupply of hops continued to influence import dynamics, contributing to the overall volume adjustment.

Production hop cones and lupulin in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of hop cones and lupulin, 2017-2020

World map of production of hop cones and lupulin, 2017-2020

Latin America and the Caribbean saw hop cones and lupulin production increase for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 482.9 t, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, hop cones and lupulin production value in Latin America and the Caribbean declined. In 2020, output was valued at 7 074 K $ US, marking an 18.7% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 22.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 701 K $ US, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2018 at 25.5%.

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

Exports hop cones and lupulin from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 6 t and peaked in 2019 at 45 t, representing a 7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports from Latin America and the Caribbean totaled 23 t, showing a sharp decrease of 48.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 85.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 599.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Germany were the primary markets for exports in kind, together accounting for 17.9% of total flows.

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, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export value reached its lowest point in 2018 at 96 K $ US and peaked in 2019 at 806 K $ US, with an 8.4-fold gap between these years. In 2020, export value from Latin America and the Caribbean stood at 336 K $ US, which is 58.3% lower than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 82.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 738.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Germany remained the main buyers of hop cones and lupulin from Latin America and the Caribbean, with a combined share of 23.4% of total exports in value terms.

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 hop cones and lupulin to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, hop cones and lupulin imports into Latin America and the Caribbean declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 527 t, which is 3.3% less than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 23.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 682 t, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2018 at 27.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Germany and the United States accounted for 95.2% of total imports in kind, while the remaining share was distributed among other destinations with smaller individual contributions.

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, K $ US

After two years of growth, hop cones and lupulin import value into Latin America and the Caribbean declined. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 64 003 K $ US, marking a 10.8% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 36.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 10.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 71 755 K $ US, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2018 at 35.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the period 2017–2020, the United States and Germany clearly dominated the partner structure for imports in value terms, while other countries together formed the remaining share.

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