Uncooked pasta market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the domestic market volume for uncooked pasta in Central America contracted significantly from 185.3 thousand tons to 40.5 thousand tons. The most dramatic decline occurred in 2023, when consumption fell by 65% compared to the previous year. This sharp drop was primarily due to a surge in exports, which nearly doubled to 98.1 thousand tons in 2023, diverting product away from the local market. Industry reports highlight that this export growth was fueled by increased production and overseas shipments of gluten-free pasta from leading regional producers in Mexico and Colombia.

Throughout the period, major manufacturers invested in milling technology and expanded production capacity, as seen with investments by companies like La Moderna in Mexico. These investments, alongside digital marketing campaigns targeting younger consumers, supported a strategic shift toward serving international demand and developing premium segments such as gluten-free, high-protein, and vegan pasta varieties. While consumer preferences in Latin America increasingly favored convenient and health-oriented products, the overall local market volume shrank as producers prioritized export channels.

Production uncooked pasta in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

World map of production of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

Central America's production of uncooked pasta has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 125.8 thousand tons, which represents a 30.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 25%, averaging an annual decline of 9.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 184.4 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 9.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of uncooked pasta production in Central America has also decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 150.4 million US dollars, marking a 27.0% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value declined by 10.2%, with an average annual decrease of 3.5%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 213.7 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 27.6%.

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

Exports uncooked pasta from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export levels varied significantly, with a 5.9-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2017. In 2020, Central America exported 40.8 thousand tons of uncooked pasta, showing a modest increase of 9.2% year-over-year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 36.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 83.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Venezuela, the United States, and the Dominican Republic consistently held the top positions in the export structure by volume. Venezuela accounted for 39.3% of exports, the United States for 15.7%, and the Dominican Republic for 2.2%. Together, these three countries represented 57.1% of total export flows.

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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a 5.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of uncooked pasta exports from Central America totaled 48.8 million US dollars, up 15.0% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 42.5 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 80.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Venezuela, the United States, and the Dominican Republic remained the primary markets for uncooked pasta exports by value. Venezuela represented 37.0% of export value, the United States 16.5%, and the Dominican Republic 2.1%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 55.5% of total export 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 uncooked pasta to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, Central America's imports of uncooked pasta increased in 2020. Imports reached 60.0 thousand tons, rising by 59.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 40.7%, averaging an annual increase of 12.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 37.7 thousand tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of uncooked pasta to Central America were widely distributed across partner countries. Italy accounted for 12.2% of imports by volume, Peru for 9.3%, and the United States for 8.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 29.8% of total import flows, indicating a highly diversified import structure.

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, the value of uncooked pasta imports to Central America totaled 92.8 million US dollars, showing a significant increase of 28.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 28.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.0%.

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

The import structure by value from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diversified set of trading partners. Italy accounted for 15.5% of import value, the United States for 13.0%, and Peru for 6.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 34.8% of total import flows, while the remaining 65.2% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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