Strawberries market in MERCOSUR

Earlier Report Observations

Strawberry production in MERCOSUR showed notable fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. After starting at 224 thousand tons in 2018, output dipped to 211.7 thousand tons in 2019 before surging to 265.4 thousand tons in 2020. A subsequent decline brought production to 245.2 thousand tons in 2021 and 231.5 thousand tons in 2022, with a modest recovery to 241.5 thousand tons in 2023. Throughout these years, the market was governed by the long-standing MERCOSUR Technical Regulation for strawberry quality and identity (GMC No. 85/96), which set uniform standards for classification, packaging, and labeling. Enforcement by state agencies like SENASA in Argentina and MAPA in Brazil ensured quality control but also created barriers for new entrants by mandating strict phytosanitary protocols for exports.

The regulatory environment saw significant developments in 2024. Brazil initiated a public consultation on a new technical regulation for strawberries within the MERCOSUR framework, proposing updated criteria for identity, quality, packaging, and labeling to streamline internal and regional trade. Concurrently, the EU Council approved the MERCOSUR-EU Association Agreement, which plans a phased elimination of ad valorem tariffs for fruits and vegetables, raising prospects for increased European demand for South American strawberries. These changes position state agricultural agencies to play a central role in implementing revised rules and overseeing sanitary standards.

Production strawberries in MERCOSUR

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of strawberries, 2017-2020

World map of production of strawberries, 2017-2020

In 2020, MERCOSUR produced 265.4 thousand tons of strawberries, marking a sharp 25.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 46.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 5.5%.

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

Exports strawberries from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 144-fold difference between these years. In 2020, MERCOSUR exported 53.5 tons of strawberries, representing a sharp 69.1% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 173.1 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 5,366.7% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Panama accounted for 85.4% of total strawberry exports in volume, with the remaining flows distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. The minimum export value was recorded in 2017, while the maximum occurred in 2019, showing a 28-fold variation. In 2020, MERCOSUR exported 93.4 thousand US dollars worth of strawberries, a 59.0% decrease from the previous year. The peak value was 227.9 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the largest increase happened in 2018 with an 877.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Panama, Portugal, and the United States were the main markets for MERCOSUR's strawberry exports in value terms. Panama accounted for 69.2% of exports, Portugal for 5.4%, and the United States for 3.5%, together representing 78.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports strawberries to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 25-fold gap between these years. In 2020, MERCOSUR imported 52.3 tons of strawberries, an abrupt 134.5% increase from the prior year. The minimum import volume was 2.1 tons in 2018, while the largest decline occurred that same year with a 72.2% drop. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 987.2% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile and the United States were the primary sources for strawberry imports to MERCOSUR in volume, together accounting for 14.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 and reached their maximum in 2019, with an 11.6-fold difference. In 2020, MERCOSUR imported 155.4 thousand US dollars worth of strawberries, corresponding to a gradual 6.8% year-over-year decline. The minimum value was 14.3 thousand US dollars in 2018, while the peak was 166.8 thousand US dollars in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 75.8% decrease, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 1,064.1% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States and Chile formed the main group of markets for strawberry imports to MERCOSUR in value terms, together accounting for 65.5% of total import flows.

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

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