Olives market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the fresh olives market in Central America expanded steadily, with production rising from 26 347 metric tons to 43 755 metric tons. The most pronounced jump occurred in 2019, when output increased by over 40% to 37 051 metric tons. Growth continued in 2020, aided by Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly passing Law 9914, which defined a basic basket for family welfare and encouraged consumption of fresh agricultural products by promoting local markets and reducing harvest waste. This policy likely supported demand for fresh olives, contributing to the market's rise to 38 189 metric tons that year and further to 43 755 metric tons in 2021.

The trend reversed in 2022, as production fell sharply by 24.5% to 33 015 metric tons. A partial recovery followed in 2023, with output climbing 6.3% to 35 104 metric tons, though it remained below the 2021 peak.

Production olives in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of olives, 2017-2020

Central America's olive production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 38 189 tonnes of olives, marking a 3.1% rise from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 57.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.3%.

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

Exports olives from Central America

Exports in kind, kg

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 470 kg and peaked in 2017, with a 6.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Central America's olive exports totalled 1 546 kg, which was 13.9% lower than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 84.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 281.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Cuba, and Venezuela were the leading destinations for Central America's olive exports in kind. The United States accounted for 5.6% of exports, Cuba for 3.5%, and Venezuela for 1.4%, together representing 10.6% 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, $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, showing a 5.5-fold difference. In 2020, cross-border shipments of olives from Central America stood at 1 139 US dollars, equivalent to a steep decrease of 64.8% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 80.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 163.2%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Cuba, Venezuela, and the United States stood out as the main markets for Central America's olive exports in value terms. Cuba accounted for 14.2% of exports, Venezuela for 7.4%, and the United States for 2.4%, together representing 24.0% 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 olives to Central America

Imports in kind, kg

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 492 kg and peaked in 2017, with a 47-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Central America imported approximately 982 kg of olives, up by 99.4% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 97.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of olive imports in kind to Central America was determined mainly by Spain and the United States, which together accounted for 81.3% 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, $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, reflecting a 10.8-fold gap. In 2020, olive deliveries to Central America amounted to 2 849 US dollars, indicating a decline of 24.1% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018, at 30 705 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 87.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 0.1%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Spain took the dominant position in Central America's olive imports in value terms, accounting for 81.7% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

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