Soybean oilcake market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, soybean oilcake production in Central America expanded significantly, driven by the region's growth in soybean cultivation as part of an export-oriented economic strategy. Concurrently, national policies for integrated solid waste management and the circular economy, implemented from 2019, promoted the valorization of agricultural residues, increasing demand for oilcake as a valuable by-product.

Market growth was further supported by regulatory measures, including the 2022 Public Food Services Regulation that set quality and safety standards for vegetable oil use, affecting the management of soybean by-products. Enhanced oversight of waste management also encouraged efficient use of resources. In 2023, despite a slight dip in market volume, the adoption of technologies to convert waste into fertilizers sustained demand, while global commodity price fluctuations impacted the market's value.

By 2024, continued strengthening of circular economy policies and municipal waste management actions provided a stable framework for the soybean oilcake market, emphasizing resource efficiency and by-product valorization.

Production soybean oilcake in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of soybean oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of soybean oilcake, 2017-2020

Central America's soybean oilcake production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 4,153 K t of soybean oilcake, which represents a 1.8% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 78.2%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 21.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Central America's soybean oilcake production has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 1,756 M $ US, marking an 8.7% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 86.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 23.1%.

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

Exports soybean oilcake from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 14.1-fold difference between the low of 0.3 K t in 2018 and the high of 5 K t in 2019. In 2020, foreign soybean oilcake supplies from Central America reached 1 K t, down by 74.6% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 1,312.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States held the leading position in exports of soybean oilcake from Central America, accounting for 0.6% of the total.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The highest value was reached in 2019, while the lowest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 12.3 times. In 2020, soybean oilcake exports from Central America were recorded at 0.5 M $ US, which is 72.9% lower than the previous year. The minimum value was 0.1 M $ US in 2018, and the maximum was 2 M $ US in 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 1,134.9%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States clearly led the country structure of exports in value terms, with a share of 0.7% of total flows.

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 soybean oilcake to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

Central America's soybean oilcake imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 2,989 K t, up by 2.2% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 3.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2,756 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 4.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States accounted for almost all imports of soybean oilcake to Central America, with a share of 99.6% of total 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, M $ US

In 2020, Central America's soybean oilcake import volume reached 1,220 M $ US, representing a gain of 6.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 7.3%, with a CAGR of 2.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 5.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of imports in value terms was dominated by a single market: the United States, with a share of 99.4% of total 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