Yams market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for yams in Central America saw considerable volume changes from 2018 to 2023. After maintaining stability near 28 000 t in 2018 and 2019, the market size contracted sharply over the next two years, falling to 24 084 t in 2020 and then to 19 015 t in 2021. A pronounced rebound followed, with the market expanding to 30 614 t in 2022 and further to 36 129 t in 2023.

Domestic production followed a similar trajectory, declining from over 37 000 t in 2018-2019 to a low of 29 722 t in 2021 before surging to 45 253 t in 2023. Throughout this period, exports remained a significant and steady outflow, averaging around 9 500 t to 10 700 t annually, which meant a substantial portion of production was directed abroad. Imports, while minimal for most years, showed a marked increase in 2023, reaching 106 t.

Production yams in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of yams, 2017-2020

World map of production of yams, 2017-2020

Central America's yam production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 33 822 tonnes of yams, marking a 9.1% year-on-year contraction. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 5.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 37 297 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 4.3% also occurring that year.

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

Exports yams from Central America

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Central America's yam export volume increased. In 2020, the region exported 9 755 tonnes of yams, representing a 4.9% rise compared to 2019. However, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 24.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 9.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 297 tonnes, with the largest annual decline of 26.7% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and France were consistently the primary destinations for Central America's yam exports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 85.4% of total flows. Other trading partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, yam exports from Central America increased in value. In 2020, exports amounted to 10 586 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual improvement of 6.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value decreased by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 905 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual decline of 8.3% also occurring that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and France remained the main buyers of yams from Central America in value terms, with a combined share of 87.1% of total exports. The remainder was fragmented across other countries.

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 yams to Central America

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 6 tonnes, with the largest annual decline of 80.9% occurring that year. In 2019, imports surged by 160.2%, followed by a more modest gain of 5.6% in 2020, when Central America imported 17 tonnes of yams. Overall, volumes peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 5.2-fold difference between these years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and the United States clearly dominated Central America's yam imports in volume terms, with their combined share reaching 99.6% of total 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, K $ US

Import values exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual decline of 64.6% occurring that year. In 2019, values rebounded sharply with a 102.5% increase, followed by a further rise of 22.6% in 2020, when Central America imported yams worth 22.6 thousand US dollars. The period saw a peak in 2017 and a trough in 2018, showing a 2.8-fold fluctuation.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, China and the United States remained the main sources for Central America's yam imports in value terms, accounting together for 98.9% of total 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