Salted, brined, dried or smoked pork market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork in Latin America and the Caribbean showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 37 524 tons in 2018, it reached 39 097 tons in 2019, then contracted sharply to 32 104 tons in 2020 before recovering to 34 087 tons in 2021. A strong rebound followed in 2022, with volume peaking at 40 504 tons, then stabilizing at 39 929 tons in 2023.

Growth in the late 2010s was supported by a regional surge in pork consumption, particularly in Central American markets like El Salvador and Honduras, where demand rose by 42% over the preceding five years. This trend, coupled with annual production growth of 2–3% across Latin America, helped lift the market. After the 2020 dip, the 2022 rebound was fueled by modernization and capacity expansion in major producing countries. Mexico, the region's second-largest pork producer, saw output rise by more than 4% per year thanks to sector upgrades and growing domestic consumption.

In 2023, the market stabilized near 40 000 tons as continued investment in the pork sector, especially in Brazil and Mexico, maintained production momentum. The broader processed meat market in Latin America also developed new segments, such as healthier and sustainably packaged products, which helped sustain demand for smoked and salted pork variants.

Production salted, brined, dried or smoked pork in Latin America and the Caribbean

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

Production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork in Latin America and the Caribbean has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 9,796 tonnes, marking a 3.0% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 16.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

The volume of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork exports from Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 322 tonnes, down 4.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 78.4%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 40.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork from Latin America and the Caribbean was exported to numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Hong Kong—collectively accounted for only 38.0% of total export volume.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork from Latin America and the Caribbean decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported $2.0 million worth of these products, a 3.8% drop year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 54%, with a compound annual growth rate of -22.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The partner structure for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. The United States (16.7% of export value), Hong Kong (5.2%), and Angola (3.7%) together made up only 25.6% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, cross-border shipments of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork into Latin America and the Caribbean reached 22,631 tonnes, a 24.4% decrease from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 25.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 9.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (64.2% of import volume), Spain (14.6%), and Canada (12.8%) were the primary suppliers of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork to Latin America and the Caribbean, together constituting 91.6% of total imports in volume.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the volume of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork imports into Latin America and the Caribbean declined. In 2020, imports stood at $129.5 million, a sharp contraction of 22.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.8%, with an annualized rate of -7.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at $166.6 million, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States and Spain were the key markets for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 84.3% of total flows. Other destinations had relatively minor shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020