Market research

Palm-kernel oilcake market in Central America

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Central America" region includes following countries:

Belize

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Earlier Report Observations

The palm-kernel oilcake market in Central America expanded from 286 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 331 thousand tonnes in 2020. This growth coincided with the considerable expansion of palm oil production in the region, which increased the supply of solid residues available for oilcake production. In 2020, reports of significant water pollution linked to palm oil waste in major producing areas underscored the scale of agricultural activity and the associated by-product output.

Market volume contracted to 296 thousand tonnes in 2021, primarily due to a sharp fall in imports. Persistent environmental and social tensions within the palm oil sector, including issues with environmental licensing, likely contributed to supply chain disruptions. A recovery followed in 2022, with the market reaching 321 thousand tonnes, supported by the adoption of advanced effluent treatment technologies in palm oil mills. These technologies, such as advanced evaporation for palm oil mill effluent (POME), improved operational sustainability and compliance, aiding production stability.

Growth resumed in 2023, with the market volume rising to 337 thousand tonnes as increased imports offset a slight dip in domestic production. Looking ahead, investment plans announced in 2024 by Venezuela's Grupo San Simón to expand palm oil cultivation and derivative processing indicate continued development and potential for further market evolution in the region.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Central America
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production palm-kernel oilcake in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of palm-kernel oilcake, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of palm-kernel oilcake, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Central America's palm-kernel oilcake production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 286.5 thousand tons, which is a 9.5% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 23.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.9%	4.5%	9.5%	7.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports palm-kernel oilcake from Central America

Exports in kind, t

Central America's exports of palm-kernel oilcake have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 16,645 tons, showing a sharp rise of 27.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 29.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 9.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 11,355 tons, with the largest decline that year being 11.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(11.5%)	14.9%	27.6%	9.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the top buyer of palm-kernel oilcake from Central America, accounting for 0.6% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of palm-kernel oilcake exports from Central America has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 2,864 thousand US dollars, marking an 18.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value surged by 63.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.8%	17.4%	18.9%	17.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States held the largest share of palm-kernel oilcake exports from Central America in value terms, representing 2.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports palm-kernel oilcake to Central America

Imports in kind, t

Central America's imports of palm-kernel oilcake have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 61,056 tons, reflecting a strong improvement of 20.9% compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 46,784 tons, with the largest drop that year being 32.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(32.3%)	7.9%	20.9%	(4.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, Free Zones and the United States were the leading sources for palm-kernel oilcake imports into Central America, together making up 13.3% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, palm-kernel oilcake imports into Central America rebounded. In 2020, Central America imported 8,082 thousand US dollars worth of palm-kernel oilcake, a significant gain of 14.9% from the prior year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 8.6%, with an annualized decrease of 2.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 7,033 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 16.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(16.9%)	(4.2%)	14.9%	(2.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over the 2017-2020 period, Free Zones and the United States were the primary destinations for palm-kernel oilcake imports into Central America in value terms, together accounting for 14.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io