Cassava Market Overview in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2019, the Latin American cassava market decreased by -% to $, falling for the fifth consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption saw a mild reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 with an increase of % against the previous year. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $. From 2012 to 2019, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cassava production fell to $ in 2019 estimated in export prices. Overall, production saw a slight reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011 with an increase of % y-o-y. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $ in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2019, production failed to regain the momentum.

The country with the largest volume of cassava production was Brazil ( tonnes), comprising approx. % of total volume. Moreover, cassava production in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Paraguay ( tonnes), fivefold. Colombia ( tonnes) ranked third in terms of total production with a % share.

In Brazil, cassava production plunged by an average annual rate of -% over the period from 2007-2019. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Paraguay (+% per year) and Colombia (+% per year).

The average cassava yield declined modestly to tonnes per ha in 2019, stabilizing at the previous year. In general, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the yield increased by % year-to-year. The level of yield peaked at tonnes per ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2019, 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.

The cassava harvested area declined slightly to ha in 2019, which is down by -% against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area recorded a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 when the harvested area increased by % against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cassava production reached the peak figure at ha in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

In 2019, consumption of cassava decreased by -% to tonnes, falling for the fourth consecutive year after three years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the consumption volume increased by % against the previous year. The volume of consumption peaked at tonnes in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2019, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The size of the cassava market in Latin America and the Caribbean declined to $ in 2019, which is down by -% 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). Overall, consumption showed a mild slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2011 with an increase of % year-to-year. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $. From 2012 to 2019, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of cassava consumption was Brazil ( tonnes), accounting for % of total volume. Moreover, cassava consumption in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Paraguay ( tonnes), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Colombia ( tonnes), with a % share.

In Brazil, cassava consumption plunged by an average annual rate of -% over the period from 2007-2019. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Paraguay (+% per year) and Colombia (+% per year).

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

In Brazil, the cassava market plunged by an average annual rate of -% over the period from 2007-2019. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: Colombia (+% per year) and Paraguay (+% per year).

In 2019, the highest levels of cassava per capita consumption was registered in Paraguay ( kg per person), followed by Brazil ( kg per person), Cuba ( kg per person) and Colombia ( kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of cassava was estimated at kg per person.

In Paraguay, cassava per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +% over the period from 2007-2019. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Brazil (-% per year) and Cuba (+% 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 decade. The performance of the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of -% for the period from 2019 to , which is projected to depress the market volume to tonnes by the end of .