Lard and poultry fats market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for lard and poultry fats in Central America opened the period at 171.1 thousand tons in 2018, supported by significant growth in regional pork production. This increase was driven by rising domestic consumption and improvements in production techniques, which boosted output of both meat and associated fats. Over the next two years, production of fats contracted to 129.8 thousand tons by 2020, though a sharp rise in imports kept the overall market size stable at around 153-154 thousand tons.

From 2021, production recovered, reaching 151.3 thousand tons in 2022 as the market size grew to 160.4 thousand tons. This rebound was aided by ongoing technical improvements in the pork sector and Guatemala's sustained leadership in regional output, which supported higher volumes of fat production.

In 2023, production stabilized at 150.6 thousand tons while exports of fats jumped to 2.9 thousand tons, reflecting increased pork product shipments to North and Central America. The market size adjusted to 156.0 thousand tons as more output was directed abroad, with exports climbing further to 3.6 thousand tons by 2024, indicating a growing external orientation.

Production lard and poultry fats in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lard and poultry fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of lard and poultry fats, 2017-2020

Production of lard and poultry fats in Central America has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 129.8 thousand tons, which represents a 13.0% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 18.1%, translating to an average annual decline of 6.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 168.5 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 6.3%.

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

Exports lard and poultry fats from Central America

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 tons, while the highest occurred in 2020 at 641 tons, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 18 728 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments of lard and poultry fats from Central America reached 641 tons, marking an extraordinary increase of 18 727 930.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 100.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Chile and the United States emerged as the primary buyers of lard and poultry fats from Central America, together accounting for 17.9% of total exports in volume terms.

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, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest export value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 629 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 15 719-fold variation. In 2020, exported lard and poultry fats from Central America amounted to 629 thousand US dollars, representing a dramatic increase of 15 718 936.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 100.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile and the United States played leading roles in the value-based exports of lard and poultry fats from Central America, jointly representing 18.4% of total export 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 lard and poultry fats to Central America

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 860 tons, while the highest was in 2020 at 24 508 tons, showing an 8.6-fold difference. In 2020, cross-border shipments of lard and poultry fats to Central America amounted to 24 508 tons, up by 494.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 87.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of lard and poultry fats to Central America were almost entirely concentrated in the United States, which accounted for 94.2% of total imports in volume terms.

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, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The minimum import value was recorded in 2018 at 3 023 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2020, resulting in a 7.8-fold variation. In 2020, Central America imported lard and poultry fats valued at 3 023 thousand US dollars, up by 464.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 85.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, virtually all imports of lard and poultry fats to Central America in value terms were associated with the United States, whose share reached 93.6% 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