Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market volume for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Latin America and the Caribbean grew steadily from 24 357 thousand tonnes to 25 673 thousand tonnes. This expansion was primarily driven by sustained demand from the food industry, particularly for baked goods and processed foods, as well as shifting consumer preferences towards ready-to-eat products and vegan options in markets like Mexico. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further boosted demand for staple foods, including wheat flour, during lockdowns.

The market also saw product diversification, with increased production and commercialization of functional flours and non-wheat blends catering to gluten allergies and nutritional trends. Organic wheat flour gained traction, supported by agroecological practices and investments in mill automation. Structurally, Argentina and Brazil remained key regional producers and exporters, with Argentina's 183 flour mills indicating significant industrial capacity.

In 2024, climatic issues in Brazil and Argentina reduced domestic wheat output, increasing reliance on imports in some countries. Global trade restrictions and a surge in Ukrainian corn supplies pressured cereal prices, leading to a more competitive landscape. Meanwhile, demand in Mexico continued to rise with new restaurant and bakery openings, though overall import volumes for the region declined.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Latin America and the Caribbean

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

Following two consecutive years of growth, wheat and meslin flour and cereals production in Latin America and the Caribbean experienced a decline. In 2020, production reached 23 744 K t, marking a year-over-year decrease of 1.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production increased by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The peak production level was recorded in 2019 at 24 075 K t, while the most significant annual increase occurred in 2018 at 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during this period. Export volumes fluctuated significantly, with a 4.7-fold difference between the high point in 2017 and the low point in 2020. In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean exported 167 K t of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, representing a substantial year-over-year decline of 74.0%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 2.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, the United States served as the primary destination for wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 1.8% of total export volumes.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Latin America and the Caribbean generated 360.7 M $ US in revenue, reflecting a significant year-over-year decline of 12.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, export values decreased by 4.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 359.1 M $ US, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 413.7 M $ US. The most substantial annual increase was observed in 2019 at 15.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading buyer of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms, representing 3.7% of total export revenue.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, wheat and meslin flour and cereals import volumes in Latin America and the Caribbean declined. In 2020, imports totaled 1 197 K t, showing a year-over-year decrease of 7.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, import volumes increased by 18.5%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 5.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 298 K t, with the largest annual increase also occurring in 2019 at 20.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During the 2017–2020 period, the United States (15.1% of import volumes), Turkey (10.5% of import volumes), and the Netherlands (1.7% of import volumes) were the primary sources for wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into Latin America and the Caribbean, collectively accounting for 27.4% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into Latin America and the Caribbean were valued at 607.6 M $ US, indicating a moderate year-over-year decrease of 4.6%. Between 2017 and 2020, import values increased by 8.2%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 548.0 M $ US, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 637.1 M $ US. The most significant annual increase was observed in 2019 at 16.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (17.9% of import value), Turkey (9.2% of import value), and the Netherlands (1.5% of import value) played notable roles as suppliers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Latin America and the Caribbean, though their combined share represented only 28.6% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020