Prepared or preserved groundnuts market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for prepared or preserved groundnuts in Central America experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2022. After starting at 17 120 tons in 2018, it dropped sharply to 11 143 tons in 2019. A strong recovery followed in 2020, bringing volume up to 16 266 tons. The market then stabilized around 16 000 tons in 2021 before rising again to 18 376 tons in 2022.

In 2023, market volume fell to 15 061 tons. During this year, Nicaragua reported robust peanut planting activity, with 73 648 manzanas sown, indicating sector strength and competitiveness. For 2024, several factors influenced the regional landscape: Nicaraguan peanut exports grew to markets like the United States and Canada, reflecting dynamism in the food industry. At the same time, climatic factors and labor shortages in Honduras created uncertainty for basic grain producers, including peanuts. Costa Rica saw innovation with sugar-free peanut products containing prebiotics, while changes in food safety regulations and labeling requirements affected production and commercialization across the region.

Production prepared or preserved groundnuts in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of prepared or preserved groundnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved groundnuts, 2017-2020

Central America's production of prepared or preserved groundnuts has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 14 592 tons, marking a slight decrease of 1.6% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 16 041 tons. In 2019, production saw its largest drop of 7.6%, while 2018 experienced a modest increase of 1.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of prepared or preserved groundnuts production in Central America has also decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 59 665 thousand US dollars, representing an 8.5% decline year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.6%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 72 304 thousand US dollars. The most significant decrease was in 2019 at 9.8%, while 2018 saw the largest increase of 8.6%.

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

Exports prepared or preserved groundnuts from Central America

Exports in kind, t

Central America's exports of prepared or preserved groundnuts in volume terms have increased for the second straight year. In 2020, exports reached 20 113 tons, showing a strong year-over-year growth of 11.6%. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports actually decreased by 2.1%, averaging a 0.7% annual decline. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 16 568 tons, which also saw the largest drop of 19.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Dominican Republic, and Chile were the primary markets for Central America's prepared or preserved groundnuts exports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 55.6% of exports, followed by the Dominican Republic at 6.0%, and Chile at 2.6%. Together, these three countries represented 64.1% 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, K $ US

In value terms, Central America's exports of prepared or preserved groundnuts amounted to 61 727 thousand US dollars in 2020, reflecting a slight increase of 0.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 3%, with an average annual rate of 1.0%. The highest export value was in 2018 at 65 832 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.9%, while 2018 saw the biggest increase of 9.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Dominican Republic, and Chile were the main buyers of prepared or preserved groundnuts from Central America in value terms. The United States dominated with 58.6% of exports, followed by the Dominican Republic at 6.6%, and Chile at 2.7%. Collectively, these three markets made up 67.9% 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 prepared or preserved groundnuts to Central America

Imports in kind, t

Central America's imports of prepared or preserved groundnuts in volume terms surged to 21 786 tons in 2020, representing a significant 51.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 36%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 14 338 tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 18.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States, Colombia, and China were the key sources for Central America's imports of prepared or preserved groundnuts in volume terms. The United States supplied 57.3% of imports, Colombia contributed 1.4%, and China provided 1.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 59.7% 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, K $ US

Foreign supplies of prepared or preserved groundnuts to Central America have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 67 981 thousand US dollars, showing a modest gain of 8.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 22.1%, with an average annual increase of 6.9%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the United States, Colombia, and China were the principal sources for Central America's imports of prepared or preserved groundnuts in value terms. The United States represented 62.6% of imports, Colombia accounted for 1.7%, and China made up 0.8%. Jointly, these three destinations comprised 65.0% of total import flows.

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

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