Treenuts market in MERCOSUR

Earlier Report Observations

The MERCOSUR treenuts market experienced moderate volatility between 2018 and 2020, with volume dipping from 217.2 thousand metric tons to 210.6 thousand metric tons in 2019 amid economic headwinds and recession in key member Argentina, before stabilizing near 211.4 thousand metric tons in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic that year brought supply chain disruptions and lower global commodity prices, though the market's physical volume showed resilience as intra-bloc trade adapted to sanitary and logistical constraints.

A sharp contraction to 176.0 thousand metric tons occurred in 2021, reflecting reduced production and imports. The market rebounded powerfully to 241.8 thousand metric tons in 2022, primarily driven by soaring global prices for agricultural commodities following the war in Ukraine, which incentivized increased output and trade volumes. This growth reversed in 2023, with the market falling to 209.4 thousand metric tons as international nut prices declined and political disagreements between major members like Argentina and Brazil introduced uncertainty.

Trade policy developments provided ongoing context, including the approval of new rules of origin for the bloc, the signing of a trade agreement with Singapore, and Bolivia's accession as a full member in 2023. However, persistent non-tariff barriers and significant economic asymmetries among members continued to limit deeper market integration and kept intra-MERCOSUR trade at a historically low share of total external sales.

Production treenuts in MERCOSUR

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of treenuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of treenuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, MERCOSUR produced 198.8 thousand tons of treenuts, remaining virtually unchanged from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 204.8 thousand tons, marking a 9.6% increase. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 2.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

MERCOSUR's treenuts production value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 929 million US dollars, representing a 16.0% reduction compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 27.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.2%.

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

Exports treenuts from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, t

Treenuts export volumes from MERCOSUR declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 31,731 tons, showing a moderate decrease of 6.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 40.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.1%. The peak was in 2018 at 34,829 tons, which represented a 54.5% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export partner landscape for treenuts in kind was diverse. The United States accounted for 22.0% of exports, Italy for 10.9%, and Peru for 9.4%, together making up 42.3% of total flows. The remaining 57.7% was distributed among many other 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, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of treenuts from MERCOSUR declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value was recorded at 148.2 million US dollars, indicating a strong decrease of 21.0% versus the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The maximum value was in 2018 at 208.2 million US dollars, reflecting a 34.3% increase.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that treenuts exports from MERCOSUR in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The United States accounted for 33.7% of exports, Italy for 8.0%, and the Netherlands for 7.8%, jointly representing 49.5% of total 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 treenuts to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, t

MERCOSUR's treenuts import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 44,277 tons, down by 2.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 29.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia led the import structure in kind with 25.3%, followed by Côte d'Ivoire at 16.7%, and Chile at 15.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 57.9% 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, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, cross-border shipments of treenuts to MERCOSUR increased. In 2020, imports totaled 161.2 million US dollars, reflecting a small increase of 1.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 28.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 158.4 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 17.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Chile, Turkey, and the United States—together absorbed 58.2% of total treenuts imports to MERCOSUR in value terms.

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

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