Latin America and the Caribbean: Vegetable Market 2025

Vegetable Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

After three years of decline, the Latin American vegetable market increased by X% to $X in 2022. The market value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the market value increased by X%. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Vegetable Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, vegetable production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Mexico (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Peru (X tons), with a combined X% share of total production.

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

In 2022, the average yield of vegetables in Latin America and the Caribbean rose modestly to X tons per ha, surging by X% against the previous year's figure. 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 in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the vegetable yield attained the peak level 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.

The vegetable harvested area reduced slightly to X ha in 2022, flattening at the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the harvested area increased by X%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the vegetable harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Vegetable Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, shipments abroad of vegetables increased by X% to X tons, rising for the fifth consecutive year after three years of decline. Total exports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume 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, exports increased by X% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by X%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, vegetable exports amounted to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated prominent growth 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, exports increased by X% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of X% 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.

Exports by Country

Mexico dominates exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near X% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Guatemala (X tons) and Peru (X tons), together making up an X% share of total exports. Argentina (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

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

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

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Mexico totaled X%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Peru (X% per year) and Guatemala (X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, reducing by X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the export price increased by X% against the previous year. 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 Peru ($X per ton), while Argentina ($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 (X%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Vegetable Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, approx. X tons of vegetables were imported in Latin America and the Caribbean; surging by X% against 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, vegetable imports rose rapidly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a measured 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 decreased by X% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of X%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Imports by Country

In 2022, El Salvador (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Mexico (X tons) was the major importer of vegetables in Latin America and the Caribbean, generating X% of total import. Paraguay (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a X% share, followed by Colombia (X%). The Dominican Republic (X tons), Chile (X tons), Trinidad and Tobago (X tons), Haiti (X tons), Bahamas (X tons), Honduras (X tons) and Nicaragua (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

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

In value terms, the largest vegetable importing markets in Latin America and the Caribbean were Mexico ($X), Brazil ($X) and El Salvador ($X), with a combined X% share of total imports. Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Paraguay, Honduras, Nicaragua and Chile lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X%.

Among the main importing countries, the Dominican Republic, with a CAGR of X%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, 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, increasing by X% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of X%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of X%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Bahamas ($X per ton), while El Salvador ($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.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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