Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Central America showed a general upward trend in volume from 2018 to 2022, starting at 4.8 million tons and peaking at 5.4 million tons. This growth was interrupted by a slight dip in 2020, but strong rebounds followed in 2021 and 2022. The market then moderated to 5.1 million tons in 2023.

In value terms, the market experienced more pronounced fluctuations, with a sharp rise to over $4 billion in 2019 followed by a decline in 2020 and 2021. Market value recovered to $3.5 billion in 2022 and approached $3.9 billion in 2023, indicating significant shifts in pricing conditions separate from volume movements.

Domestic production in the region increased steadily from 4.6 million tons in 2018 to 5.1 million tons in 2023, supporting the overall market supply as import volumes gradually declined over the same period.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Central America's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 4 651 K t, marking a 2.4% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production increased by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 4 765 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.2%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, Central America's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals rebounded. In 2020, export volume rose to 103.9 K t, a 32.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports overall decreased by 43.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.5%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 78.5 K t, which also experienced the sharpest decline of 40.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Venezuela, and Haiti consistently led as the top destinations for Central America's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in volume terms. The United States accounted for 10.9% of exports, Venezuela for 6.3%, and Haiti for 1.7%, together making up 18.9% 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

In 2020, Central America's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms amounted to 67.5 M $ US, showing a 4.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 18.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 64.9 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 86.5 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 24.9%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 4.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States, Venezuela, and Haiti remained the primary buyers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Central America in value terms. The United States held a 17.7% share of exports, Venezuela 5.2%, and Haiti 1.6%, collectively representing 24.4% of total export value.

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 wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

Central America's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 299.3 K t, a 2.6% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 11.4%, translating to an annualized rate of -4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant source for Central America's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in volume terms, capturing 57.5% of total import flows.

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 imported 161.6 M $ US worth of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, a slight decline of 1.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 156.3 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 163.8 M $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 4.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the leading source for Central America's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms, accounting for 57.5% of total import flows.

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

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