Treenuts market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The treenuts market in Central America began the period with a volume of 273.1 thousand tons in 2018, supported by regional export specialization and a shift toward more profitable treenuts cultivation. Market volume then contracted by 20% to 218.1 thousand tons in 2019, coinciding with a sharp 49% rise in exports. A rebound followed in 2020, with volume growing 24% to 269.5 thousand tons, aided by shifts in consumer food habits that emphasized safety and quality.

After a decline to 249.2 thousand tons in 2021, the market expanded significantly to 301.7 thousand tons in 2022. In 2023, volume decreased to 262.1 thousand tons. Factors that year included a slowdown in the European market affecting almond trade and a concurrent rise in demand fueled by greater health and nutrition awareness. The period also saw the entry of new products from major brands like Emerald Nuts and Planters.

In 2024, import volumes increased while exports moderated. Ongoing factors shaping the market included regulatory developments such as the FDA's review of health claims, consumer preference shifts toward organic and natural snacks, and the growth of nut-based spreads in Latin America driven by healthy snacking trends.

Production treenuts in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of treenuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of treenuts, 2017-2020

Central America's treenuts production declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, production reached 334.6 K t, showing little change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 7.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 335.6 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 5.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of treenuts production in Central America was 1 630 M $ US, marking a slight increase of 0.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 3.7%, with an average annual rate of 1.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 074 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 21.9%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 31.9%.

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

Exports treenuts from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Central America exported 143.2 K t of treenuts in 2020, representing a 24.9% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 10.2%, averaging 3.3% per year. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 128.0 K t, and the highest was in 2019 at 190.6 K t. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019 at 48.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Central America's treenuts exports in volume, accounting for 80.8% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

After two years of growth, Central America's treenuts export value declined. In 2020, it reached 697.9 M $ US, down 24.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 6.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The peak value was in 2019 at 919.8 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 23.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States was the leading destination for Central America's treenuts exports in value terms, holding 85.8% of total flows. Other countries accounted for relatively small shares.

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 treenuts to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Central America imported 78.2 K t of treenuts, a modest increase of 6.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 39.2%, with an average annual rate of 11.6%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 1.6%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 32.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Central America's treenuts imports in volume were heavily concentrated on the United States, which accounted for 88.7% of total flows. Other partners made up the remainder.

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 treenuts imports reached 337.4 M $ US, a strong increase of 13.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 26.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 367.7 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 18.9%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 38.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant supplier of treenuts to Central America in value terms, accounting for 88.6% of total imports. Other countries shared the remaining volume.

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

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