Potato market in Honduras

Earlier Report Observations

The potato market in Honduras expanded from 37 024 tonnes in 2018 to 44 963 tonnes in 2023, with its value rising from USD 14.8 million to USD 25.6 million. This growth was primarily fueled by a steady increase in imports, while domestic production remained stable around 27 000 tonnes annually. Production relies on European potato varieties from the Netherlands, which support consistent yield and quality. The crop also provides significant employment in highland communities, sustaining around 5 800 permanent jobs.

In 2022, a severe supply shortage and price spikes exceeding 200% for potatoes in local markets, caused by climatic and logistical factors, accelerated import growth. This scarcity prompted higher shipments from abroad, pushing the market volume to 40 541 tonnes that year. Competition from vegetable imports from Guatemala remained a backdrop, though potatoes are predominantly supplied domestically. Despite rising agricultural input costs, local output showed resilience, aiding market stability.

By 2023, imports reached 20 569 tonnes, driving the market to a new high of 44 963 tonnes. Domestic production held firm at 27 116 tonnes, and exports, though growing, remained marginal. The overall market expansion across the period reflects a growing reliance on imported potatoes to meet demand, particularly after the supply constraints experienced in 2022.

Production potato in Honduras

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Honduras has seen its potato production grow for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 27 329 tons of potatoes, marking a slight increase of 1.5% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 4.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Honduras in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Honduras has experienced an increase in potato production value for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 8 014 thousand US dollars, up by 4.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 4.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 369 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 4.0% during this period.

Annual dynamics of production in Honduras in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports potato from Honduras

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations over these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 142 tons, with the largest decline of 40.8% occurring that year. By 2020, Honduras exported 766 tons of potatoes, representing a sharp increase of 301.9% compared to 2019. Overall, there was a 5.4-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador was the dominant destination for Honduras's potato exports in volume, accounting for 95.9% of the total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was volatile during this period. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 39 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 44.3%. In 2020, exports amounted to 225 thousand US dollars, a substantial increase of 315.1% from the previous year. This resulted in a 5.7-fold variation between the high in 2020 and the low in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Honduras's potato exports in value terms were almost entirely directed to El Salvador, which held a 96.0% share of total flows.

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

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

Imports potato to Honduras

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Honduras's potato import volume increased in 2020. Imports reached 11 589 tons, showing a solid rise of 12.8% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 10 278 tons, while the largest decline of 7.9% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Honduras's potato imports in volume, making up 84.5% of total flows. Other destinations contributed relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year reduction, Honduras's foreign potato supplies increased in 2020. Imports were recorded at 8 480 thousand US dollars, reflecting a robust uptick of 19.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The minimum value was 7 070 thousand US dollars in 2019, which also saw the largest decline of 5.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States held the dominant position in Honduras's potato imports by value, accounting for 76.2% of total flows. 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 Honduras in value, 2017-2020