MERCOSUR: Leek Market 2025

Leek Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR leek market amounted to $X in 2022, increasing by 4.8% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -4.3% against 2020 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Leek Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, leek production rose remarkably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production posted a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by 30%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Peru (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of leek production, accounting for 96% of total volume. It was followed by Colombia (X tons), with a 2.2% share of total production.

In Peru, leek production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022.

The average leek yield stood at X tons per ha in 2022, with an increase of 2.2% against the year before. Overall, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the yield increased by 5.2%. Over the period under review, the leek yield hit record highs 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.

In 2022, approx. X ha of leeks and other alliaceous vegetables were harvested in MERCOSUR; stabilizing at the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 12%. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the leek harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Leek Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of leeks and other alliaceous vegetables, when their volume increased by 23% to X tons. In general, exports posted a modest increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 54%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, leek exports rose slightly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports showed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 73% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Colombia (X tons) was the major exporter of leeks and other alliaceous vegetables, making up 60% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons), together mixing up a 29% share of total exports. The following exporters - Peru (X tons), Venezuela (X tons) and Argentina (X tons) - together made up 9.9% of total exports.

Exports from Colombia increased at an average annual rate of +16.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Brazil (+161.8%) and Venezuela (+3.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +161.8% from 2012-2022. Ecuador experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Argentina (-11.2%) and Peru (-21.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Colombia (+45 p.p.) and Brazil (+16 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Ecuador (-2.9 p.p.), Argentina (-8 p.p.) and Peru (-50 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Colombia ($X) emerged as the largest leek supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Ecuador ($X), with a 27% share of total exports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Colombia totaled +21.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ecuador (+7.6% per year) and Brazil (+181.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -16.4% against the previous year. Export price indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, leek export price increased by +98.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the export price increased by 63% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2021, and then plummeted 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 Ecuador ($X per ton), while Venezuela ($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 (+7.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Leek Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

Leek imports fell markedly to X tons in 2022, which is down by -42.4% on the year before. Over the period under review, imports recorded a dramatic slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 52%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, leek imports shrank to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw a abrupt decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 69% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Suriname was the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which recorded 72% of total imports. Guyana (X kg) held an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Argentina (8.5%) and Chile (5.9%). Brazil (X kg) held a minor share of total imports.

Suriname was also the fastest-growing in terms of the leeks and other alliaceous vegetables imports, with a CAGR of +3.9% from 2012 to 2022. Brazil (-4.5%), Guyana (-9.0%), Argentina (-10.0%) and Chile (-39.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Suriname (+67 p.p.), Argentina (+8.5 p.p.), Guyana (+8.2 p.p.) and Brazil (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Chile saw its share reduced by -73.5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the largest leek importing markets in MERCOSUR were Brazil ($X), Chile ($X) and Suriname ($X), together accounting for 86% of total imports.

Brazil, with a CAGR of +29.4%, 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 mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 68% against the previous year. In general, the import price enjoyed a measured increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the import price increased by 139% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+35.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform