Wheat and meslin market in Honduras

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for wheat and meslin in Honduras fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, declining from 308.3 thousand tons in 2018 to 268.8 thousand tons in 2023. The drop in 2019 coincided with persistent non-tariff barriers that hampered imports. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 increased volatility in international markets and pushed up prices, further constraining import volumes. A temporary rebound to 318.2 thousand tons occurred in 2022, driven by the entry of a new player, the Salvadoran-backed flour miller Molsa, whose investment in a new wheat-processing plant boosted demand for imported wheat, alongside global supply concerns arising from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which disrupted fertilizer and grain trade. However, in 2023 the market volume contracted again as high food inflation, exceeding 12%, reduced consumer purchasing power, and the El Niño weather phenomenon adversely affected the broader agricultural sector.

The Honduran wheat market remains highly dependent on imports, primarily from the United States, and is characterized by a concentrated milling industry historically dominated by a few firms, limiting competition and keeping consumer prices elevated. Honduras maintains its membership in the Central American Common Market (MCCA), which applies reduced tariffs on wheat imports, but the structural reliance on foreign supply leaves the market vulnerable to international price swings and global shocks. Domestic wheat production has remained minimal and stable at around 1.3 thousand tons annually throughout the period.

Production wheat and meslin in Honduras

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

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

Honduras has seen its wheat and meslin production volume rise for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1,269 tonnes of wheat and meslin, marking a slight increase of 1.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Honduras in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports wheat and meslin from Honduras

Exports in kind, K t

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of wheat and meslin from Honduras, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from Honduras in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States clearly dominated as the primary buyer of wheat and meslin from Honduras, representing 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

World map of product's exports from Honduras in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat and meslin to Honduras

Imports in kind, K t

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2017 and the highest in 2018, showing an 8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign wheat and meslin supplies to Honduras totaled 262.2 thousand tonnes, which is 3.0% less than the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 307.1 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 12.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 697.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States clearly dominated as the main supplier of wheat and meslin to Honduras, accounting for 96.3% of total imports in kind.

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

World map of product's imports to Honduras in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign wheat and meslin supplies to Honduras amounted to 66,901 thousand US dollars, representing a small decrease of 2.0% from the year before. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 80,514 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, with a drop of 15.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 76.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms were heavily concentrated on the United States, which accounted for 96.3% of total flows.

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

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