Leguminous vegetables market in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled leguminous vegetables in Latin America and the Caribbean showed considerable variation in both volume and value from 2018 to 2023. In physical terms, domestic consumption reached its highest point at 832 thousand tons in 2020, after starting the period at 791 thousand tons. By 2023, the market volume had moderated to 765 thousand tons.

Measured in value, the market exhibited even sharper swings. It expanded to nearly $2.0 billion in 2020, a significant increase from $1.7 billion in 2018. This was followed by a substantial contraction to $1.5 billion in 2021 and 2022, before a recovery to $1.6 billion in 2023. The regional production base remained stable, generally producing between 884 and 984 thousand tons annually.

Export shipments from the region grew consistently, rising from 131 thousand tons in 2018 to 181 thousand tons by 2023. Imports played a negligible role, never exceeding 7 thousand tons in a given year. This dynamic contributed to the overall trend in domestic market availability over the six-year span.

Production leguminous vegetables in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

In Latin America and the Caribbean, leguminous vegetable production reached 960 K t in 2020, representing an 8.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.0%. The most significant production decline occurred in 2019, when output fell by 3.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of leguminous vegetable production in Latin America and the Caribbean was 2 299 M $ US in 2020, showing a 21.5% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 36.6%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 11.0%. The largest decrease was observed in 2019, with a 3.5% decline.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, leguminous vegetable exports from Latin America and the Caribbean declined in 2020. The region exported 135.0 K t of leguminous vegetables that year, down 1.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 5.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.7%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 136.6 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was consistently the primary destination for leguminous vegetable exports in volume terms, accounting for 76.2% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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, M $ US

Leguminous vegetable export value from Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 323.1 M $ US, a 10.5% year-over-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 31.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States dominated the export value structure, representing 77.9% of total flows. Other destinations accounted for relatively small shares.

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 leguminous vegetables to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of contraction, leguminous vegetable imports into Latin America and the Caribbean increased in 2020. Imports totaled 6.8 K t that year, up 69.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 53.2%, with a CAGR of 15.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 4.0 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 7.3% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Canada together remained the main sources for leguminous vegetable imports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 24.4% of total flows.

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, M $ US

Leguminous vegetable import value into Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 11.3 M $ US, a 43.6% rise compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 59.8%, with a CAGR of 16.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 6.9 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual decline of 1.6%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the United States (56.3% of import value), the Netherlands (1.6%), and Canada (1.1%) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of leguminous vegetable imports into Latin America and the Caribbean. Together, these three countries accounted for 59.0% of total import flows.

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