Pastry market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the government's Strategic Plan strengthened local production and market access, supporting output of 678 thousand tons. Company investments in marketing and equipment further boosted sales performance. However, growing exports began to reduce domestic market volume, which fell from 571 thousand tons in 2018 to 511 thousand tons in 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought restrictions, but the rapid adoption of e-commerce enabled businesses to maintain sales, stabilizing market volume at 507 thousand tons. By 2021, pandemic-induced shifts in consumer preferences toward healthy and convenient products coincided with a sharp rise in exports, shrinking market volume to 454 thousand tons.

External shocks in 2022, including the Russia-Ukraine war and adverse weather, disrupted wheat supplies and raised input costs, leading to inflation. Despite these challenges, production continued to grow, and market volume temporarily recovered to 475 thousand tons before declining to 446 thousand tons in 2023.

Production pastry in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pastry, 2017-2020

World map of production of pastry, 2017-2020

In Central America, pastry production reached 703.8 thousand tonnes in 2020, showing a moderate increase of 6.5% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 16.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 2.6%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, at 12.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of pastry production in Central America was 2 189 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 6.6% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 11.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.8%. The highest value was observed in 2018 at 2 544 million US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2019, with a decrease of 19.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 29.9%.

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

Exports pastry from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Pastry exports from Central America grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 292.0 thousand tonnes, up by 6.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 17.3%, representing an annualized growth rate of 5.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 219.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 12.0%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 24.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and the Dominican Republic were the primary destinations for pastry exports from Central America, together accounting for 59.9% of total exports in volume. The United States led with 56.8% of exports, followed by Canada at 1.6% and the Dominican Republic at 1.4%.

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, M $ US

Pastry exports from Central America continued to grow for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value stood at 908.3 million US dollars, reflecting a modest increase of 7.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 12.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and the Dominican Republic were the key markets for pastry exports from Central America in value terms, collectively absorbing 72.5% of total export value.

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 pastry to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, pastry imports into Central America totaled 95.2 thousand tonnes, which is 22.5% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 18.9%, with a compound annual decline rate of 6.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 122.9 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 10.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, pastry imports into Central America were not dominated by any single market. The United States, Peru, and Spain together accounted for only 35.5% of total imports in volume, with the United States at 31.4%, Peru at 3.0%, and Spain at 1.2%. Many smaller partners contributed modest individual shares.

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, M $ US

After two years of growth, pastry imports into Central America declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 457.1 million US dollars, down by 7.0% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.3%, with a compound annual decline rate of 0.8%. The highest value was in 2019 at 491.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, pastry imports into Central America in value terms were characterized by a wide distribution across markets. The United States, Peru, and Spain together made up only 46.2% of total import value, with the United States at 42.5%, Peru at 2.3%, and Spain at 1.4%.

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

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