Leguminous vegetables market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for leguminous vegetables in Central America fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 213.4 thousand tons in 2018. It dipped to 196.5 thousand tons in 2019, then surged to 240.7 thousand tons in 2020, representing a 22.5% increase. However, the market contracted sharply in the following two years, falling to 191.4 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 150.5 thousand tons in 2022.

The significant drop in market volume to 150.5 thousand tons in 2022 was primarily driven by increased production costs. Fertilizer and energy prices rose substantially due to the Russia-Ukraine war, elevating input expenses for growers. Concurrently, stricter regulation and monitoring of pesticide residues in fresh produce, emphasizing food safety and labeling, likely added compliance costs and constrained supply.

The market partially recovered to 181.4 thousand tons in 2023. Throughout the period, underlying trends such as growing health consciousness and a post-pandemic shift in consumption habits influenced demand, though these were offset by supply-side constraints in peak years.

Production leguminous vegetables in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Central America's production of leguminous vegetables rebounded after two years of decline. In 2020, the region produced 362.6 thousand tonnes, representing a 13.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 318.9 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of leguminous vegetables production in Central America reached 851.2 million US dollars, showing a significant increase of 27.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 36.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production value fell by 4.7%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Central America exported 123.1 thousand tonnes of leguminous vegetables, showing little change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 123.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 3.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States consistently accounted for 82.7% of Central America's leguminous vegetables exports by volume, demonstrating a high concentration on this market, while the remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

Central America's leguminous vegetables exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 289.0 million US dollars worth of leguminous vegetables, marking a solid increase of 11.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 29.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the structure of leguminous vegetables exports by value was dominated by the United States, which absorbed 82.8% of total flows, with numerous smaller partners accounting for the remainder.

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 leguminous vegetables to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Central America's imports of leguminous vegetables reached 1.2 thousand tonnes, rising by 7.9% year-on-year. However, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 16.8%, averaging an annual decline of 5.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 38.1%. In contrast, the highest import volume was in 2018 at 1.8 thousand tonnes, when imports increased by 24.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of leguminous vegetables imports to Central America by volume were the United States (5.1% of imports), Argentina (5.0%), and Canada (0.6%), together accounting for 10.7% 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

In 2020, Central America imported 2.0 million US dollars worth of leguminous vegetables, an increase of 8.8% compared to 2019. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 3.8%, averaging an annual decline of 1.3%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 1.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 14.6%. The highest import value was in 2018 at 2.2 million US dollars.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main markets for leguminous vegetables imports to Central America by value were the United States (9.4% of imports), Argentina (7.2%), and the United Kingdom (2.2%), together accounting for 18.7% 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