Cassava Market Overview in Latin America and the Caribbean

The revenue of the cassava market in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $43.4B in 2010, approximately equating the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, cassava consumption, however, continues to indicate a temperate curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of 0.4% year-to-year. Over the period under review, the cassava market attained its peak figure level at $46.3B in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2010, consumption remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cassava production amounted to $44.2B in 2010 estimated in export prices. In general, cassava production, however, continues to indicate a temperate slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 when production volume decreased by -0.5% y-o-y. Over the period under review, cassava production reached its maximum level at $47.9B in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2010, production failed to regain its momentum.

Brazil (25M tonnes) remains the largest cassava producing country in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 75% of total production. Moreover, cassava production in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the region's second-largest producer, Paraguay (2.6M tonnes), tenfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Colombia (2.1M tonnes), with a 6.2% share.

In Brazil, cassava production decreased by an average annual rate of -2.0% over the period from 2007-2010. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Paraguay (+6.9% per year) and Colombia (+5.1% per year).

In 2010, the average yield of cassava in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at 13 tonne per ha, remaining constant against the previous year. Overall, the cassava yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008 with an increase of 1.1% year-to-year. In that year, the cassava yield attained its peak level of 13 tonne per ha. From 2009 to 2010, the growth of the cassava yield remained 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 2010, approx. 2.6M ha of cassava were harvested in Latin America and the Caribbean; picking up by 2.2% against the previous year. In general, the cassava harvested area, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when harvested area increased by 2.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cassava production reached its peak figure at 2.7M ha in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2010, harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2010, the amount of cassava consumed in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to 33M tonnes, surging by 2.1% against the previous year. Overall, cassava consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 when consumption volume increased by 2.1% y-o-y. The volume of cassava consumption peaked at 34M tonnes in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2010, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The revenue of the cassava market in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $43.4B in 2010, remaining stable against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, cassava consumption, however, continues to indicate a temperate decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 when the market value increased by 0.4% year-to-year. The level of cassava consumption peaked at $46.3B in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2010, consumption failed to regain its momentum.

Brazil (25M tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of cassava consumption, comprising approx. 75% of total consumption. Moreover, cassava consumption in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the region's second-largest consumer, Paraguay (2.6M tonnes), tenfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Colombia (2.1M tonnes), with a 6.3% share.

From 2007 to 2010, the average annual growth rate of volume in Brazil totaled -2.0%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Paraguay (+6.8% per year) and Colombia (+5.1% per year).

In value terms, Brazil ($35.2B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Paraguay ($3.1B). It was followed by Colombia.

From 2007 to 2010, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Brazil amounted to -3.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Paraguay (+19.2% per year) and Colombia (+3.8% per year).

In 2010, the highest levels of cassava per capita consumption was registered in Paraguay (422 kg per person), followed by Brazil (127 kg per person), Haiti (56 kg per person) and Colombia (45 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of cassava was estimated at 56 kg per person.

In Paraguay, cassava per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the period from 2007-2010. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (-3.0% per year) and Haiti (+6.0% per year).

Depressed by shrinking demand for cassava in Latin America and the Caribbean, the market is expected to continue its downward consumption trend over the next fifteen years. The performance of the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of -% for the fifteen-year period from 2010 to , which is projected to depress the market volume to tonnes by the end of .