In 2017, Costa Rica continued to be the leading exporter of frozen fruit in the Central American region with an export value of US$80 million. It was followed by Guatemala with $30 million, El Salvador with $3 million, and Nicaragua with $2 million. Panama and Honduras do not have any exports.
The export value of frozen fruit increased by 49% between 2016 and 2017, from $77 million to $115 million. This increase confirms a clear upward trend in foreign sales, which have grown by an average of 26% annually over the past five years.
In 2017, the United States accounted for 57% of Central American exports, followed by Canada at 8%, Belgium at 6%, the United Kingdom at 5%, and the Netherlands at 4%. Canada is the destination market that has grown the most over the past six years, from 2% in 2012 to 8% in 2017.