In-shell Brazil nuts market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The market for in-shell Brazil nuts in Latin America and the Caribbean began the period at 72 271 tons in 2018, but faced a decline to 68 835 tons in 2019. This drop was driven by stringent European Union aflatoxin inspections that hampered exports and by Bolivia's dominance in processing, which undercut Brazil's competitiveness. The market then recovered to 72 709 tons in 2020 and reached 73 150 tons in 2021, showing stabilization after the earlier export difficulties.

A significant expansion occurred in 2022, with market volume jumping to 84 901 tons. This surge was supported by coordinated efforts to overcome export barriers and a shift in trade flows, as Bolivia and Peru absorbed half of Brazil's exports. However, the market contracted to 77 831 tons in 2023, even as studies highlighted untapped potential in Southeast Asian markets.

In 2024, extreme drought and wildfires linked to El Niño triggered a sharp drop in production, while the Brazilian government secured new export destinations like Costa Rica and Turkey. The establishment of an Executive Export Table for nuts aimed to address trade obstacles, and growing consumer interest in superfoods boosted demand for value-added products.

Production in-shell Brazil nuts in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of in-shell Brazil nuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of in-shell Brazil nuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean produced 74 266 tons of in-shell Brazil nuts, marking a 4.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 35.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 74 877 tons, which represented a significant 36.8% increase that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 5.0%.

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

Exports in-shell Brazil nuts from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited notable volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with the peak being 3.2 times higher than the trough. In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean exported 1 920 tons of in-shell Brazil nuts, showing a sharp decline of 37.5% compared to the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 015 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 223.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, in-shell Brazil nuts from Latin America and the Caribbean were exported to a wide range of markets. Even the top three destinations—the United States, China, and Hong Kong—collectively accounted for only 15.7% of total exports in volume terms, highlighting the market's diversity.

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 behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Export values were lowest in 2020 and highest in 2018, with a 2.8-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, in-shell Brazil nuts exports from Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to 6 819 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep 48.0% decrease from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 19 066 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 121.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. The United States (13.9% of export value), China (11.1%), and Hong Kong (9.9%) together accounted for only 34.8% of total flows. The remaining 65.2% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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 in-shell Brazil nuts to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

Foreign supplies of in-shell Brazil nuts to Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 363 tons, down 52.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 56.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 24.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 409 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 69.8%.

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

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

Foreign supplies of in-shell Brazil nuts to Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1 848 thousand US dollars, a 50.0% drop compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 65.6%, with an annualized decrease of 29.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 8 946 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 66.7%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 58.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States remained the key supplier of in-shell Brazil nuts to Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 0.6% of total imports in value terms.

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