Oats market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The South American oats market volume initially contracted to 1 997 thousand tonnes in 2019, as adverse climatic conditions impacted harvests despite growing consumer health awareness and investments by companies like Nestlé in oat-based products. The market rebounded sharply to 2 245 thousand tonnes in 2020, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic which boosted demand for healthy, plant-based foods like oat milk. This period also saw Brazil exceed one million tonnes of white oat production through expanded planting and improved cultivars.

Growth continued through 2021 and 2022, with the market reaching 2 658 thousand tonnes. Major global food companies, including PepsiCo and Kellogg's, launched new oat products in emerging markets, reinforcing demand. In Brazil, significant area expansion in Paraná state and the adoption of high-yield cultivars drove production to 2 675 thousand tonnes in 2022. Concurrently, Chile implemented new commercial regulations for oats to improve market transparency and access, supporting its export-oriented industry.

The market volume fell markedly to 1 887 thousand tonnes in 2023 due to extreme weather events that severely reduced output across the region, with production dropping to 1 734 thousand tonnes. Industry focus shifted toward adaptive strategies and sustainability, as seen in Chile's increased adoption of paper packaging and environmental practices. By 2024, the sector emphasized export diversification and sustainable production methods to navigate volatile conditions.

Production oats in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of oats, 2017-2020

World map of production of oats, 2017-2020

South America's oats production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, the region produced 2,068 thousand tonnes of oats, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1,966 thousand tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 6.3% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South America's oats production value rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 1,111 million US dollars, representing a significant 27.3% gain compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 26.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 778 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 11.3% that year.

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

Exports oats from South America

Exports in kind, K t

Oats exports from South America fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 11.5 thousand tonnes, a sharp 47.2% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 56.6%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 24.3%. The peak was in 2018 with 29.1 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 9.8% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South America's oats exports were distributed across a wide range of buyers. Guatemala accounted for 4.6% of exports in volume, Japan for 3.5%, and Germany for 3.1%, together making up 11.2% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares in the remaining volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from South America in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Oats export value in South America declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 6,182 thousand US dollars, down 36.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 41.5%, with an average annual decrease of 16.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 10,990 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 3.9% that year.

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

During 2017-2020, the export value structure was balanced rather than concentrated. Japan contributed 10.2% of export value, Germany 7.8%, and Guatemala 3.9%, together representing 21.9% of total flows. The remaining 78.1% was distributed among many other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from South America in value, 2017-2020

Imports oats to South America

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed volatility during these years, with imports varying fourfold between the minimum in 2018 and the maximum in 2020. In 2020, oats imports to South America reached 188.9 thousand tonnes, a dramatic 253.0% surge from the previous year. The lowest level was in 2018 at 47.0 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 39.1% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and Australia were the top sources for oats imports to South America in volume terms. Canada dominated with 68.9% of total imports, while Australia accounted for 5.5%.

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

World map of product's imports to South America in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period, with a 3.6-fold variation between the trough in 2018 and the peak in 2020. In 2020, oats imports to South America were valued at 51,633 thousand US dollars, up 227.9% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 14,540 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 36.0% that year.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Canada played the leading role in oats import value to South America, holding a 70.1% share of total flows. Other markets combined accounted for the remainder.

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

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