Tomato market in Honduras

Earlier Report Observations

Tomato production in Honduras declined from 80 000 t in 2018 to 72 377 t in 2023. This reduction was driven by a crisis among producers who faced high production costs, strong external competition from Guatemala and El Salvador, and damaging torrential rains that affected harvests. Additionally, the Supreme Court's November 2021 ruling that declared the Plant Variety Protection Law unconstitutional introduced uncertainty over seed regulations, potentially impacting agricultural output.

Export volumes fluctuated throughout the period, with a notable increase in 2019 that contributed to a smaller domestic market size of 19 151 t. Exports peaked at 64 157 t in 2021, sharply reducing the available market volume to 13 853 t. The implementation of a digital system to expedite export permits in 2024 aimed to enhance competitiveness, but exports continued to fall, aiding a recovery in domestic supply to 22 662 t by 2023.

Regulatory developments included the 2023 State Policy for the Agri-Food Sector setting long-term guidelines and a draft regulation for phytosanitary products with updated labeling requirements. In 2024, new health regulations for food and beverages and a Responsible Labeling Law with nutritional warnings came into force, affecting tomato marketing. Internal demand was supported by remittances and shifting consumer habits, though local production struggled with structural challenges.

Production tomato in Honduras

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Honduras produced 79 847 tons of tomatoes in 2020, marking a 1.4% decrease from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 81 000 tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Honduras in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, tomato production in Honduras experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 10 571 thousand US dollars, down 1.7% compared to 2019. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 10 754 thousand US dollars, which also registered the largest annual increase of 1.5%.

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

Exports tomato from Honduras

Exports in kind, t

After rising for two years, Honduras' tomato exports declined in 2020, reaching 58 775 tons—a modest 5.0% year-over-year drop. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 4.8%, averaging an annualized rate of 1.6%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 61 855 tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, El Salvador dominated Honduras' tomato exports in volume, consistently representing 93.9% of the total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of tomato exports from Honduras fell in 2020 to 7 781 thousand US dollars, a 5.2% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 5.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The peak was in 2019 at 8 212 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual rise of 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador accounted for the majority of Honduras' tomato export value, holding a 93.8% share of total flows.

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

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

Imports tomato to Honduras

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed significant fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market. In 2019, imports hit a low of 6 tons, representing a 92.1% decline from the previous year. By 2020, imports surged to 98 tons, a dramatic 1,549.0% increase compared to 2019. The highest import level was in 2017, with a 54-fold difference between the 2017 peak and the 2019 low.

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

During 2017-2020, Guatemala was the primary source for Honduras' tomato imports by volume, accounting for 76.1% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among other trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market exhibited volatility over the observed period. In 2019, the value dropped to a low of 6 thousand US dollars, an 89.7% decrease from the previous year. By 2020, imports rebounded sharply to 91 thousand US dollars, a 1,342.7% year-over-year increase. The peak was in 2017, with a 41-fold variation between the 2017 maximum and the 2019 minimum.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala served as the main supplier of tomatoes to Honduras in value terms, capturing 72.3% of total imports, with the rest coming from a diverse group of other countries.

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

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