Mate market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The mate market in Latin America and the Caribbean saw steady expansion from 2018 to 2023, with volume rising from 1.4 million tons to 1.6 million tons. After a moderate increase in 2019, consumption dipped slightly in 2020 before recovering in 2021. The most pronounced growth occurred in 2022, when market volume jumped by nearly 10% to 1.62 million tons, followed by stabilization in 2023.

The market's upward momentum was supported by evolving consumer priorities, where price, quality, and brand reputation became key decision factors in purchasing mate-related products. By 2024, innovation accelerated with the launch of MATEANDO—the first origin-produced and packaged mate with less dust and sticks in sustainable packaging—and CBSé's limited editions featuring flavors like Chocolate Dubai and Spicy Mango. These developments aimed to broaden consumption occasions and tap into global taste trends, reinforcing the market's modernization.

Production mate in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of mate, 2017-2020

World map of production of mate, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, mate production in Latin America and the Caribbean declined. In 2020, the region produced 1 474 thousand tons of mate, marking a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 4.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 485 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of mate production in Latin America and the Caribbean reached 6 101 million US dollars, representing a modest gain of 2.7% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 24.9%, with an average annual increase of 7.7%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 6 354 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 30.1%. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline of 6.5%.

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

Exports mate from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

Mate exports from Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 48 988 tons, up 15.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 3.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 41 056 tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 13.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, mate exports from Latin America and the Caribbean were widely distributed across partner countries. Syria accounted for 35.5% of exports in kind, the United States for 1.9%, and Spain for 1.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 38.9% of total export flows, indicating a diverse market.

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

In 2020, mate shipments from Latin America and the Caribbean were valued at 202.8 million US dollars, showing a 19.1% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 23.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 7.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 6.3%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that mate exports in value terms from Latin America and the Caribbean were not concentrated on a few key destinations. Syria represented 35.1% of export value, the United States 3.4%, and Germany 2.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for only 40.6% of total export flows, reflecting a broad distribution.

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 mate to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 602 tons, which saw the largest decline of 89.2%. By 2020, imports rebounded to 10 203 tons, a dramatic increase of 536.8% compared to the previous year. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2019, imports changed by a factor of 11.2.

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

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

In 2020, imported mate volumes in Latin America and the Caribbean totaled 119.9 million US dollars, rising 35.1% versus the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 38.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.9%.

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

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