Latin America and the Caribbean: Date Market 2025

Date Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, the Latin American date market decreased by -4.1% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, consumption, however, enjoyed a resilient increase. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Date Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, date production rose to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Mexico (X tons) remains the largest date producing country in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 96% of total volume. It was followed by Peru (X tons), with a 2.7% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Mexico amounted to +8.5%.

The average date yield reached X tons per ha in 2022, increasing by 2.2% against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the yield increased by 31%. The level of yield peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come. 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 dates production in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at X ha, growing by 2.1% on 2021 figures. The total harvested area indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, date harvested area decreased by -1.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to date production attained the maximum at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Date Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

For the third consecutive year, LatAmerica and the Caribbean recorded growth in overseas shipments of dates, which increased by 13% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports enjoyed a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 111% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, date exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 127% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Mexico prevails in exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 94% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - Peru (X tons) and Costa Rica (X tons) - together made up 5.6% of total exports.

Mexico was also the fastest-growing in terms of the dates exports, with a CAGR of +17.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Peru (+14.3%) and Costa Rica (+8.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Mexico (+6.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Costa Rica saw its share reduced by -2.1% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest date supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Peru ($X), with a 4.2% share of total exports.

In Mexico, date exports expanded at an average annual rate of +24.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Peru (+18.1% per year) and Costa Rica (+5.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 42% against the previous year. Export price indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, date export price increased by +77.2% against 2018 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 Peru ($X per ton), while Costa Rica ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+6.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Date Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, supplies from abroad of dates decreased by -5% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after five years of growth. Overall, imports, however, saw a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 131%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, date imports fell slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 108%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Mexico represented the key importing country with an import of about X tons, which recorded 66% of total imports. Brazil (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 14% share, followed by Argentina (5.5%). The following importers - Nicaragua (X tons), Trinidad and Tobago (X tons), Colombia (X tons) and Chile (X tons) - together made up 7.8% of total imports.

Mexico was also the fastest-growing in terms of the dates imports, with a CAGR of +37.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Chile (+20.3%), Argentina (+18.2%), Trinidad and Tobago (+10.2%), Nicaragua (+9.1%), Brazil (+8.0%) and Colombia (+7.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Mexico increased by +50 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported dates in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 72% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 4.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Mexico amounted to +35.5%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (+7.1% per year) and Argentina (+18.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 1.6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the import price increased by 10% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Trinidad and Tobago (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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