Salted, brined, dried or smoked pork market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The Central American market for salted, brined, dried or smoked pork increased from 15 106 t in 2018 to 16 933 t in 2019, supported by promotional campaigns in Panama that diversified products and stabilized prices, while Honduras saw higher imports due to farm damage from natural disasters, boosting overall supply. In 2020, the market plummeted to 10 672 t as COVID-19 pandemic restrictions curtailed imports, despite a rise in local consumption.

A partial recovery to 11 162 t occurred in 2021, though the sector faced steep price hikes and persistent high production costs. The market rebounded strongly to 16 572 t in 2022, driven by expanded processing hours in Honduras to meet demand and temporary government price freezes during the holiday season. By 2023, volume fell again to 13 850 t as elevated feed and raw material costs continued to pressure production and imports.

Throughout the period, initiatives like Honduras' national traceability system aimed to enhance production quality and export potential, and legal reforms in El Salvador sought to improve market access. However, challenges such as climate change and import competition persisted.

Production salted, brined, dried or smoked pork in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of growth, production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork in Central America declined. In 2019, output reached its peak at 347.9 t, but by 2020 it had fallen to 328.1 t, marking a year-over-year decrease of 5.7%. The most significant production increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 5.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of expansion, the value of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork production in Central America dropped. In 2019, production peaked at 2 282 K $ US, but in 2020 it decreased to 2 251 K $ US, a 1.4% decline from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 12.9%, averaging an annualized increase of 4.1%. The largest yearly gain was in 2018, with a 9.3% rise.

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

Exports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork from Central America

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Central America exported 122 t of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork, a 10.9% decrease compared to 2019. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 121 t, while the highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 137 t. From 2017 to 2020, exports overall declined by 2.8%, with an average annual decrease of 0.9%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, with a 12.9% jump.

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

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

After two years of improvement, the value of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork exports from Central America fell. In 2019, exports reached their maximum at 898 K $ US, but in 2020 they dropped to 837 K $ US, a 6.9% reduction year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 10.3%, averaging a 3.3% annualized growth rate. The largest increase was in 2019, with an 18.0% surge.

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

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 salted, brined, dried or smoked pork to Central America

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Central America imported 10 466 t of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork, a sharp 37.4% decline from 2019. Imports peaked in 2019 at 16 722 t. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 36.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -14.1%. The most significant increase was in 2019, with a 12.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant source for imports in kind, accounting for 83.0% of total flows. Other markets contributed relatively smaller 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, K $ US

Following a two-year uptick, the value of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork imports into Central America declined. In 2019, imports reached their highest point at 96 962 K $ US, but in 2020 they fell to 69 983 K $ US, a 27.8% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value dropped by 22.3%, with an average annual decline of 8.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 6.8% gain.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States held the dominant position in import value terms, representing 79.8% 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 Central America in value, 2017-2020