Malt market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The malt market in Central America experienced notable volume fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. After peaking at 1 528.6 thousand tons in 2018, market size declined over the next two years, influenced by increased global competition following modifications to tariffs under the CAFTA trade agreement, which affected the dairy and related malt sectors. During 2020, studies led by health authorities on food availability and consumption began to lay the groundwork for future regulatory measures.

Market volume recovered to 1 367.2 thousand tons in 2021, supported by a regional emphasis on agro-food system integration and efforts to address climate change and rural poverty, which boosted trade and production. A dip to 1 224.9 thousand tons occurred in 2022, followed by a rebound to 1 338.3 thousand tons in 2023, driven primarily by import growth. By 2024, ongoing developments such as reduced reliance on imported raw materials, new investment perspectives in precision agriculture, and the strengthening of trade ties continued to shape the market's structure.

Production malt in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of malt, 2017-2020

World map of production of malt, 2017-2020

In 2019, Central America's malt production hit its lowest point at 677.8 thousand tons, before rebounding to 735.7 thousand tons in 2020—an 8.5% increase from the previous year. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production actually declined by 3.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The peak was in 2018 at 761.8 thousand tons, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2019 with an 11.0% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of malt production in Central America reached its minimum in 2019 at 463.3 million US dollars, then rose to 508.0 million US dollars in 2020—a 9.7% year-over-year increase. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 544.2 million US dollars, with the most significant decline happening in 2019 at 14.9%.

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

Exports malt from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of malt from Central America showed significant volatility. In 2019, shipments dropped to a low of 0.2 thousand tons, but surged to 0.9 thousand tons in 2020—a 324.2% increase from the previous year. This created a 4.2-fold difference between the 2020 peak and the 2019 low. The largest decline was in 2019 at 56.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Dominican Republic was the primary export partner for malt in terms of volume, accounting for 0.9% of total exports.

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

Export values for malt from Central America were unstable during this period. In 2019, they fell to 0.1 million US dollars, then jumped to 0.6 million US dollars in 2020—a sharp 328.6% rise year-over-year. This resulted in a 4.3-fold variation between the 2020 high and the 2019 low, with the steepest decline in 2019 at 58.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and the Dominican Republic were the main buyers of malt from Central America in value terms, together representing 5.1% of total exports.

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 malt to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of malt into Central America continued to decline, falling for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 517.4 thousand tons, down 21.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 32.2%, with an average annual decline of 12.1%. The peak was in 2018 at 767.3 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred that same year at 0.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (61.6% of import volume), Canada (14.3%), and Belgium (8.4%) were the key sources for malt imports into Central America, collectively making up 84.3% of total imports.

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

Import values for malt into Central America fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 258.4 million US dollars, a 26.6% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 32.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 12.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States (61.5% of import value), Canada (14.4%), and Belgium (8.4%) dominated the import market for malt into Central America, together accounting for 84.2% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central America in value, 2017-2020