Latin America and the Caribbean: Cassava Market 2025

Cassava Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American cassava market fell to $X in 2022, reducing by -3% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a perceptible downturn. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Cassava Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, cassava production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a noticeable slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Brazil (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of cassava production, comprising approx. 68% of total volume. Moreover, cassava production in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Paraguay (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Peru (X tons), with a 4.9% share.

In Brazil, cassava production declined by an average annual rate of -2.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Paraguay (+7.1% per year) and Peru (+1.6% per year).

The average cassava yield reached X tons per ha in 2022, almost unchanged from the year before. Overall, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the yield increased by 4.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the cassava yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of cassava were harvested in Latin America and the Caribbean; leveling off at the previous year. Overall, the harvested area, however, saw a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 2.8%. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the cassava harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Cassava Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was decline in shipments abroad of cassava, when their volume decreased by -1.9% to X tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 22%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

In value terms, cassava exports fell slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports by Country

Costa Rica prevails in exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was near 90% of total exports in 2022. Nicaragua (X tons) and Peru (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cassava exports from Costa Rica stood at +4.5%. At the same time, Peru (+33.7%) and Nicaragua (+7.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +33.7% from 2012-2022. While the share of Costa Rica (+11 p.p.), Peru (+2.5 p.p.) and Nicaragua (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Costa Rica ($X) remains the largest cassava supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 94% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Nicaragua ($X), with a 2.3% share of total exports.

In Costa Rica, cassava exports increased at an average annual rate of +8.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Nicaragua (+13.1% per year) and Peru (+21.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, leveling off at the previous year. Export price indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cassava export price increased by +49.0% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 28%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Costa Rica ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nicaragua (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Cassava Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, imports of cassava in Latin America and the Caribbean expanded notably to X tons, picking up by 11% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 313% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cassava imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +79.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 91%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Chile (X tons) represented the main importer of cassava, creating 54% of total imports. El Salvador (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Honduras (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 36% share of total imports. The following importers - Brazil (X tons) and Aruba (X tons) - each resulted at a 3.7% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Chile (with a CAGR of +38.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, El Salvador ($X), Chile ($X) and Honduras ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 81% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Chile, with a CAGR of +27.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 6.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 115%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2022, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Aruba ($X per ton), while Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by El Salvador (+6.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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