Latin America and the Caribbean: Durum Wheat Market 2025

Durum Wheat Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American durum wheat market expanded markedly to $X in 2022, growing by 8.8% against the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a buoyant expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Durum Wheat Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, durum wheat production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 75% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The country with the largest volume of durum wheat production was Argentina (X tons), comprising approx. 57% of total volume. Moreover, durum wheat production in Argentina exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Brazil (X tons), threefold. Mexico (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 9.5% share.

In Argentina, durum wheat production increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (+4.9% per year) and Mexico (-0.4% per year).

The average durum wheat yield stood at X tons per ha in 2022, leveling off at 2021 figures. Overall, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the yield increased by 14% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The durum wheat harvested area was estimated at X ha in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% 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 2014 with an increase of 16%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Durum Wheat Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, approx. X tons of durum wheat were exported in Latin America and the Caribbean; with a decrease of -74.6% on the year before. In general, exports faced a sharp contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 429% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, durum wheat exports shrank notably to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 913% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Mexico dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 92% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Argentina (X tons), mixing up a 6.6% share of total exports.

Mexico was also the fastest-growing in terms of the durum wheat exports, with a CAGR of -14.6% from 2012 to 2022. Argentina (-35.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Mexico (+53 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Argentina (-40.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) emerged as the largest durum wheat supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 96% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Argentina ($X), with a 2.9% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Mexico amounted to -11.7%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, falling by -24.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a perceptible increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 91%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($X per ton), while Argentina stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+3.3%).

Durum Wheat Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

Durum wheat imports stood at X tons in 2022, surging by 15% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 23%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, durum wheat imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% 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 +74.4% against 2019 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Ecuador represented the major importer of durum wheat in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was approx. 40% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the Dominican Republic (X tons), Guatemala (X tons), El Salvador (X tons) and Nicaragua (X tons), together generating a 40% share of total imports. The following importers - Panama (X tons) and Honduras (X tons) - each resulted at a 7.8% share of total imports.

Imports into Ecuador increased at an average annual rate of +11.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Panama (+193.0%), Honduras (+19.3%), El Salvador (+4.3%), Nicaragua (+3.0%) and the Dominican Republic (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Panama emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +193.0% from 2012-2022. Guatemala experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Ecuador (+26 p.p.), El Salvador (+6.5 p.p.), Panama (+4 p.p.) and Honduras (+3.1 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest durum wheat importing markets in Latin America and the Caribbean were Ecuador ($X), the Dominican Republic ($X) and Guatemala ($X), with a combined 64% share of total imports. El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama and Honduras lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

Panama, with a CAGR of +185.6%, saw 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, growing by 21% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, 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 Panama ($X per ton), while Ecuador ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by El Salvador (+3.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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