Latin America and the Caribbean: Plantain Market 2025

Plantain Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American plantain market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2022, after three years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Plantain Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, plantain production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a perceptible setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of X%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Colombia (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of plantain production, comprising approx. X% of total volume. Moreover, plantain production in Colombia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the Dominican Republic (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Ecuador (X tons), with a X% share.

In Colombia, plantain production plunged by an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Dominican Republic (X% per year) and Ecuador (X% per year).

The average plantain yield dropped to X tons per ha in 2022, stabilizing at the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of X%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 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.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of plantains production in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at X ha, flattening at the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the harvested area increased by X%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to plantain production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Plantain Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, overseas shipments of plantains decreased by X% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of X% 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 2016 when exports increased by X%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plantain exports contracted sharply to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then fell rapidly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Guatemala (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons) represented the main exporters of plantains in 2022, finishing at near X% and X% of total exports, respectively. Colombia (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, distantly followed by Nicaragua (X tons). All these countries together took near X% share of total exports. Mexico (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Guatemala (with a CAGR of X%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest plantain supplying countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were Ecuador ($X), Guatemala ($X) and Colombia ($X), with a combined X% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Guatemala, with a CAGR of X%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, 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, waning by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by X%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell 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 Mexico ($X per ton), while Nicaragua ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Plantain Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, approx. X tons of plantains were imported in Latin America and the Caribbean; increasing by X% on 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plantain imports surged to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of X% 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 X% against 2013 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by X%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

El Salvador was the main importing country with an import of around X tons, which amounted to X% of total imports. Honduras (X tons) took a X% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Colombia (X%) and Chile (X%). Costa Rica (X tons), Guatemala (X tons) and Argentina (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

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

In value terms, the largest plantain importing markets in Latin America and the Caribbean were Honduras ($X), El Salvador ($X) and Chile ($X), with a combined X% share of total imports. Costa Rica, Colombia, Argentina and Guatemala lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X%.

Guatemala, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among 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

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by X% against the previous year. Import price indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, plantain import price increased by X% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the import price increased by X% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 Argentina ($X per ton), while Colombia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform

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