Maize flour and cereals market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Central America expanded from 16.9 million tonnes in 2018 to 19.5 million tonnes in 2023. The most significant single-year increase occurred in 2019, when market volume jumped by 13.0% to 19.2 million tonnes.

After 2019, the market stabilized, with volumes fluctuating narrowly between 18.9 and 19.0 million tonnes through 2022. Growth resumed in 2023, with market volume rising 2.9% to 19.5 million tonnes.

This growth in 2023 was supported by rising demand from an expanding middle class in the region, which increased consumption of maize-based foods and animal feed. Production also reached 19.6 million tonnes that year, even as adverse weather conditions reportedly reduced planting areas in parts of Central America.

Production maize flour and cereals in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Central America's production of maize flour and cereals has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 19 120 K t, which remained virtually unchanged from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.7%, representing a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 81.4 K t, while the maximum was in 2018 at 373.2 K t, resulting in a 4.6-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Central America exported 284.7 K t of maize flour and cereals, marking a dramatic year-over-year increase of 249.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 78.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Central America's exports in kind were the United States, accounting for 48.2% of exports, Venezuela at 17.5%, and Jamaica at 0.8%. Together, these three countries represented 66.5% of total export flows.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 62.9 M $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 216.5 M $ US, showing a 3.4-fold shift between these years. In 2020, maize flour and cereals deliveries from Central America amounted to 184.9 M $ US, which is 194.1% higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 71.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of exports in value terms was led by the United States, which accounted for 50.2% of exports, Venezuela at 16.5%, and Jamaica at 0.7%. Together, these three countries represented 67.4% 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 maize flour and cereals to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign supplies of maize flour and cereals to Central America have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Central America imported approximately 187.1 K t, which is 8.8% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 23.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.3%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of maize flour and cereals to Central America relied on a wide range of partner countries. The United States accounted for 41.5% of imports, the Dominican Republic for 3.5%, and Colombia for 2.6%. Together, these three countries represented just 47.6% 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

After a two-year decrease, foreign supplies of maize flour and cereals to Central America have increased. In 2020, Central America imported approximately 130.8 M $ US, which is 25.1% more than the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 20.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 104.5 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 2.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of maize flour and cereals to Central America were not heavily concentrated. The United States accounted for 40.1% of imports, Colombia for 4.7%, and the Dominican Republic for 3.1%. Together, these three countries captured only 47.9% 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