Latin America and the Caribbean: Market for Coconut, Abaca, Ramie and other Vegetable Textile Fibres 2025

Market Size for Coconut, Abaca, Ramie and other Vegetable Textile Fibres in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American market for coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres shrank slightly to $X in 2022, which is down by -3.1% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Production of Coconut, Abaca, Ramie and other Vegetable Textile Fibres in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, production of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres fell modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +1.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the production volume increased by 31% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, production of growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Brazil (X tons) remains the largest coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibre producing country in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising approx. 64% of total volume. Moreover, production of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Ecuador (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Mexico (X tons), with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Brazil was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ecuador (+0.8% per year) and Mexico (-8.2% per year).

The average yield of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres shrank slightly to X tons per ha in 2022, with a decrease of -1.6% compared with 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the yield increased by 36%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2017; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres production in Latin America and the Caribbean reached X ha, flattening at 2021 figures. Overall, the harvested area, however, showed a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 14%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibre production reached the maximum at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Coconut, Abaca, Ramie and other Vegetable Textile Fibres

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, the amount of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres exported in Latin America and the Caribbean declined to X tons, waning by -10.3% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports of attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, exports of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres shrank to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +49.6% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 55%. Over the period under review, the exports of hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

Brazil was the key exporting country with an export of about X tons, which reached 69% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Ecuador (X tons), generating a 25% share of total exports. Colombia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Brazil experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres. At the same time, Colombia (+54.8%) and Ecuador (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Colombia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +54.8% from 2012-2022. Colombia (+4 p.p.) and Ecuador (+3.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Brazil saw its share reduced by -2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the largest coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibre supplying countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were Brazil ($X), Ecuador ($X) and Colombia ($X), with a combined 98% share of total exports.

Colombia, with a CAGR of +57.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, surging by 5% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +5.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the export price increased by 25% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ecuador (+5.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Coconut, Abaca, Ramie and other Vegetable Textile Fibres

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, overseas purchases of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres decreased by -40.2% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after six years of growth. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 56% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports of hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, imports of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres fell rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports of remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Peru (X tons) and Mexico (X tons) prevails in fibres structure, together creating 73% of total imports. Chile (X tons) held a 5.6% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Guatemala (4.9%). The following importers - Honduras (X tons), Ecuador (X tons) and Colombia (X tons) - together made up 9.6% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Peru (with a CAGR of +58.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mexico ($X), Peru ($X) and Chile ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 77% of total imports.

Peru, with a CAGR of +44.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries 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, rising by 15% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Guatemala ($X per ton), while Ecuador ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guatemala (+5.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform