MERCOSUR: Yams Market 2024

Yams Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR yams market dropped slightly to $X in 2022, which is down by -2.6% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Yams Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, yams production fell slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the production volume increased by 15% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Colombia (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Venezuela (X tons), together comprising 100% of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Colombia (with a CAGR of +1.9%), while production for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the production figures.

The average yams yield stood at X tons per ha in 2022, approximately reflecting 2021 figures. Overall, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 9.5%. Over the period under review, the yams yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The yams harvested area reached X ha in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 9.5% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the yams harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Yams Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

After eight years of growth, overseas shipments of yams decreased by -4.9% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 158%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, yams exports reached $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 176% 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

Colombia was the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which recorded 61% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons), making up a 39% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Brazil (with a CAGR of +58.5%).

In value terms, Colombia ($X) and Brazil ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022.

Brazil, with a CAGR of +56.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, surging by 8.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the export price increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Colombia amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Colombia (-1.0%).

Yams Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, approx. X tons of yams were imported in MERCOSUR; leveling off at 2021 figures. In general, imports, however, recorded a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 193%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, yams imports dropped to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 165% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Argentina (X tons) was the major importer of yams, comprising 80% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Colombia (X tons), mixing up a 15% share of total imports. The following importers - Uruguay (X tons) and Suriname (X tons) - together made up 4.5% of total imports.

Imports into Argentina increased at an average annual rate of +24.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Uruguay (+134.5%) and Colombia (+14.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Uruguay emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +134.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Suriname (-8.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Argentina and Uruguay increased by +28 and +2.6 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Argentina ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported yams in MERCOSUR, comprising 86% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Colombia ($X), with an 8.7% share of total imports. It was followed by Uruguay, with a 3.4% share.

In Argentina, yams imports expanded at an average annual rate of +26.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Colombia (+11.3% per year) and Uruguay (+160.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 33%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uruguay (+11.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform