Browse Data and Analysis

Interactive Tableau visualization showing the percentage of exported agricultural production for 25 top commodities.

Malaysia was the 25th largest export destination for U.S. agricultural products in 2021 and is a top prospect for exports of food and beverage ingredients because of its large and growing food processing industry. Food and beverages manufactured in Malaysia not only serve domestic consumers but are also exported to many neighboring countries. U.S. exporters of dairy products, fresh and processed potatoes, food-grade soy, processed fruit and juices, tree nuts and more have many opportunities to supply Malaysian industry which depends on imports for key ingredients and inputs, and in doing so will reach consumers across Malaysia and throughout Southeast Asia.

The retail sector in El Salvador has remained strong and stable, with new outlets opening and new online shopping options. Super Selectos is the largest supermarket chain, followed by Walmart which in January 2022 announced it is considering the sale of its outlet stores in El Salvador. Imports of U.S. consumer-oriented products reached a record-high of $267 million in 2021.

U.S. exporters can find ample opportunities in the Iberian Peninsula. Spain is the third-largest European Union (EU) destination for U.S. agricultural products, with Portugal ranking 11th. In 2021, the United States exported $1.6 billion of agricultural products to Spain, or 15 percent of total U.S. agricultural exports to the EU. The United States held a 4 percent market share of Spain’s agricultural imports and 2 percent market share in Portugal, behind other EU member states as a group and Brazil.

Taiwan is going through an unprecedented phase of high-end wine consumption growth, placing the United States as the second largest foreign supplier by value. Being the U.S. wine’s sixth largest valuable Asian market, Taiwan achieved its outsized impact for purchasing high-end U.S. wine.

Australia has proven to be an appealing and profitable market for U.S. companies for many years. Apart from an extremely strict quarantine regime, it offers few barriers to entry, a familiar legal and corporate framework, and a sophisticated, straightforward business culture.

Thailand’s food and beverage industry contributes significantly to the country’s economy, accounting for one-fourth of the country’s gross domestic product. Major food exports include rice, canned tuna, sugar, meat, cassava products, and canned pineapple.

This report highlights Japan’s food processing industry, notable trends, and a new market snapshot of western Japan processors. The industry benefited from a slightly higher exchange rate in relation to the dollar in 2021, compared to 2020, allowing the industry to experience marginal growth by value, totaling $216.4 billion.

Mexico is the third largest food processor in the Americas behind the United States and Brazil, and it is in the top 15 worldwide. Moreover, the food industry in Mexico is one of the most dynamic with an average annual growth of 4.3 percent, with a gross domestic product (GDP) contribution of $39.4 billion in 2020.

Peru’s food processing industry is a dynamic sector of the national economy. The food industry in Peru accounts for almost 27 percent of the industrial gross domestic product. The sector rebounded from a slight drop in 2020, achieving a 9.8 percent growth in 2021. U.S.-origin food processing ingredient exports to Peru reached $196 million in 2021.

On Monday, February 28 Mexico's Ministry of Economy released the Mexican Official Standard NOM-173-SE-2021 - Denominations-Specifications- Commercial Information and Test Methods for Prepackaged Non-Alcoholic Beverages with Fruit or Vegetable Content.

Guatemala is one of the top food processing countries in Central America; meats and bakery and dairy products continue to lead the domestic food processing sector. U.S. suppliers have good opportunities to export bulk, intermediate, and consumer-oriented products that can be used as ingredients for further processing.