Fruit industry in Latin America and the Caribbean - statistics & facts
Latin America and the Caribbean plays a significant role in the global fruit production market, second only to Asia. It produces, consumes, and exports millions of metric tons of fruit every year. From plantains and bananas, to the avocados used in guacamole and avocado toast all over the world, to the berries found in all sorts of dishes, fruits are a key part of the agricultural industry in the region.
Despite this growth in the fruit industry, it is remains to be seen how it will be affected by external factors like climate change and political turmoil. Temperature increase affect production of key exports like bananas, while droughts disrupt avocado cultivation. More recently, the threat of tariffs imposed by the region’s main trade partner, the United States, could have an impact on exports in 2025.
A leading producer of bananas, avocados, and citrus fruits
Because of its extensive area and numerous climates, Latin America and the Caribbean produce a large variety of fruits. Among the largest producers are Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Bananas and plantains are, by far, the most produced fruit type in the whole region. In 2023, over 41 million metric tons of bananas and plantains were produced, with South American production accounting for around 60 percent of the total production. Citrus fruits are also an important part of the fruit industry, with over 27.5 million metric tons of oranges and over 8.6 million metric tons of lemons and limes produced that same year.Fruit exports from Latin America and the Caribbean to the world
Latin America and the Caribbean is the leading exporting region of fruits worldwide. The United States is the leading country of destination for fruit exports from the region, with almost 16 billion U.S. dollars. China was the second-largest trade partner, with an export value of 3.2 billion U.S. dollars. Exports of fruits and nuts from Latin America and the Caribbean increased by 97 percent between 2013 and 2023, and Mexico, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and Costa Rica were some of the leading exporters. Among the main exports were bananas, avocados, pineapples, berries, and citrus fruits. In 2023, exports of bananas and avocados surpassed six and four billion U.S. dollars, respectively.Despite this growth in the fruit industry, it is remains to be seen how it will be affected by external factors like climate change and political turmoil. Temperature increase affect production of key exports like bananas, while droughts disrupt avocado cultivation. More recently, the threat of tariffs imposed by the region’s main trade partner, the United States, could have an impact on exports in 2025.
