Oats market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the oat market in Latin America and the Caribbean was underpinned by rising health consciousness, which boosted demand for oats as a healthy food. This trend, coupled with the introduction of minimally processed organic oats, supported baseline consumption. In 2019, despite a dip in market volume to 2 254 K t, the market value increased to $1 048 million, reflecting sustained interest in vegan and gluten-free diets and greater output of processed oats for human use.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 sharply accelerated demand for health-oriented products, including oats and oat-based supplements, driving market volume to 2 533 K t and value to $1 330 million. This momentum carried into 2021 with the expansion of the oat milk segment and growth in oat-based food and beverage manufacturing, which lifted market value to $1 673 million, even as volume edged down to 2 482 K t, signaling a shift toward higher-value-added offerings.

In 2022, fueled by increased production and commercialization of processed oats and derived products like flour and protein, market volume reached a high of 2 798 K t, though value softened to $1 574 million. The following year saw a steep contraction, with volume dropping to 1 987 K t and value to $1 056 million, while market dynamics featured continued oat milk segment growth alongside rising competition from other plant-based dairy alternatives.

Production oats in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of oats, 2017-2020

World map of production of oats, 2017-2020

Following two years of decline, oat production in Latin America and the Caribbean rebounded in 2020. That year, the region produced 2,137 thousand tonnes of oats, marking a 3.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production overall decreased by 5.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2,066 thousand tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 4.9% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Oat production in Latin America and the Caribbean grew for the second consecutive year in 2020. The output was valued at 1,224 million US dollars, representing a significant 22.9% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 32.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 9.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 857 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 7.0% that year.

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

Exports oats from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Oat exports from Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second year in a row in 2020. Exports totaled 11.0 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp 47.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 58.1%, with an average annual decline of 25.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 28.0 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 6.7% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Japan, Germany, and South Africa played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of oats from Latin America and the Caribbean. Japan accounted for 3.5% of exports in volume, Germany for 3.1%, and South Africa for 1.7%. Together, these three countries represented just 8.3% of total oat exports from the region.

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

The value of oat exports from Latin America and the Caribbean fell for the second consecutive year in 2020. Exports stood at 6.3 million US dollars, reflecting a 37.8% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value dropped by 40.9%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 16.1%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 11.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.4% that year.

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

The structure of oat exports by value from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diversified set of trading partners. Japan accounted for 10.0% of export value, Germany for 7.6%, and South Africa for 2.8%. Combined, these three countries represented only 20.4% of total export flows, with the remaining 79.6% distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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 oats to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

The oat import market in Latin America and the Caribbean showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 406.8 thousand tonnes, a substantial 95.0% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 103.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada dominated oat imports into Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 75.6% of total import volume. The remaining imports were distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

The value of oat imports into Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports amounted to 112.4 million US dollars, an 81.0% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 203.5%, equating to an average annual increase of 44.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada strongly dominated the value of oat imports into Latin America and the Caribbean, holding a 71.7% share of total import flows. Other trading partners accounted for relatively minor shares.

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