Preliminary data indicate that the volume of world trade in major tropical fruits in 2023 looks likely to rise to a new peak of USD 11.2 billion in constant 2014–2016 dollar terms, marking an increase of approximately 12 percent from 2022. This would constitute a strong recovery from the decline in global supplies experienced in 2022 and place the global aggregate export volume some 9 percent above their previous peak of USD 10.3 billion in constant 2014–2016 dollar terms seen in 2021.
Favourable weather conditions resulted in higher outputs from several major tropical fruit production zones, most notably a steep increase in avocado supplies from Mexico and in pineapple supplies from Costa Rica. Exports of the commodity cluster mango, mangosteen and guava similarly benefited from higher production in both South American and Asian suppliers, but also from the resolution of the supply chain disruptions that had affected shipments to China in 2022. However, detrimental weather conditions, including the aftermath of hurricane damage and a lack of sunshine, reduced production in key producing areas and impeded the exports of papayas.
On the import side, positive developments in the hospitality sector supported demand growth in both the United States of America and the European Union, the two main importers, particularly for avocados and pineapples. In both markets, consumers reportedly also displayed a higher propensity to spend on nutrient-rich foods in retail outlets despite the inflationary pressures.
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Source: fao.org