Latin America and the Caribbean: Chestnut Market 2025

Chestnut Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American chestnut market contracted to $X in 2021, remaining constant against the previous year. The total consumption indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by +0.1% against 2019 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Chestnut Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, chestnut production contracted slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a noticeable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 85% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Bolivia (X tons) remains the largest chestnut producing country in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 93% of total volume. Moreover, chestnut production in Bolivia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Chile (X tons), more than tenfold.

In Bolivia, chestnut production expanded at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Chile (+14.6% per year) and the Dominican Republic (+0.7% per year).

In 2021, the average yield of chestnuts in Latin America and the Caribbean fell slightly to X tons per ha, remaining stable against 2020. In general, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 1%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the total area harvested in terms of chestnuts production in Latin America and the Caribbean shrank slightly to X ha, stabilizing at the previous year's figure. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Chestnut Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, overseas shipments of chestnuts increased by 12% to X tons, rising for the fourth consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports saw buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 85% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, chestnut exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw a strong expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 86% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Chile (X tons) and the Dominican Republic (X tons) represented roughly 99.9% of total exports in 2021.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Chile (with a CAGR of +14.5%).

In value terms, Chile ($X) remains the largest chestnut supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 81% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Dominican Republic ($X), with an 18% share of total exports.

In Chile, chestnut exports expanded at an average annual rate of +19.1% over the period from 2012-2021.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 8.1% against the previous year. Export price indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, chestnut export price decreased by -1.4% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per ton), while the Dominican Republic stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+4.0%).

Chestnut Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

For the third consecutive year, LatAmerica and the Caribbean recorded decline in supplies from abroad of chestnuts, which decreased by -15.2% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports continue to indicate a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 60% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, chestnut imports reduced to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 87%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Brazil dominates imports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 92% of total imports in 2021. The following importers - Venezuela (X tons) and Colombia (X tons) - each resulted at a 5.7% share of total imports.

Imports into Brazil decreased at an average annual rate of -12.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Venezuela (+40.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Venezuela emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +40.6% from 2012-2021. Colombia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Venezuela (+2.9 p.p.) and Colombia (+2.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Brazil (-3.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported chestnuts in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 95% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Colombia ($X), with a 1.8% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Brazil amounted to -10.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Colombia (0.0% per year) and Venezuela (+49.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the import price increased by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Venezuela ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Venezuela (+6.4%).

Source: IndexBox Platform

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