Market research

Palm nuts and kernels market in Central America

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Central America" region includes following countries:

Belize

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Earlier Report Observations

The market for palm nuts and kernels in Central America experienced steady growth from 2018 to 2022, with volume increasing from 7 734 thousand tons to 10 633 thousand tons. This represented a rise of more than 37% over the five-year span, supported by consistent production gains.

In 2023, market volume contracted to 9 365 thousand tons, an 11.9% decline from the previous year's peak. This downturn coincided with a post-pandemic economic slowdown and the geopolitical impact of the war in Ukraine, which weakened global demand for nuts and oilseeds. Additionally, outbreaks of plant diseases such as Pudrición de Cogollo in some palm-growing regions introduced further volatility into production levels.

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 nuts and kernels in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Central America's production of palm nuts and kernels has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 9 241 thousand tons, representing a 14.8% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 23.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.3%	4.4%	14.8%	7.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports palm nuts and kernels from Central America

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 1 152 tons, while 2018 saw the peak at 10 353 tons—a ninefold difference between these years. Central America exported 1 714 tons of palm nuts and kernels in 2020, which is 48.8% higher than the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 88.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, surging by 482.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	482.0%	(88.9%)	48.8%	(1.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the primary buyer of palm nuts and kernels from Central America, accounting for 5.8% of total exports in volume.

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 market exhibited volatility over the observed period. In 2019, import levels reached their lowest point, while 2017 marked the high—fluctuating 4.3 times between these years. In 2020, palm nuts and kernels exports from Central America totaled 8 037 thousand US dollars, showing a dramatic rise of 45.4% from the year before. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 528 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 70.6%.

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	(20.5%)	(70.6%)	45.4%	(30.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (43.9% of exports in value), Thailand (6.2%), and Ecuador (3.4%) were the main destinations for exports in monetary terms, together making up 53.6% 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 nuts and kernels to Central America

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this time. In 2017, imports fell to their lowest point, while 2018 saw the maximum—a gap of 43 times between these years. In 2020, Central America imported 7 923 tons of palm nuts and kernels, up by 369.1% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 28 903 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 94.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, surging by 4,150.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4 150.8%	(94.2%)	369.1%	126.7%

Source: SHEV.io

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 nuts and kernels imports into Central America increased. In 2020, the region imported a total of 4 828 thousand US dollars, marking a strong uptick of 14.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 76.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -38.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 213 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 62.5%.

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	(44.5%)	(62.5%)	14.6%	(38.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, the United States (25.0% of imports in value), Free Zones (20.3%), and Colombia (6.1%) formed the main cluster of markets for imports in monetary terms, collectively accounting for 51.4% 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