A. M. 
The value of goods exports from Latin America and the Caribbean is projected to grow by an estimated 6.4% in 2025, surpassing the 4.7% increase observed in 2024, according to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report, “Estimates of Trade Trends in Latin America and the Caribbean”.
This growth was primarily driven by a higher volume of exports, as international prices showed only marginal improvements on average, the report states.
Boost from mining, agribusiness, and manufacturing
The report indicates that the region’s exports were led by the mining sector, particularly gold, copper, and silver, as well as by a strong performance in agribusiness, with increases in products such as coffee, cocoa, fruits, and meats.
Several manufacturing sectors also stood out, including:
• Data processing machinery
• Medical supplies
• Vehicles
• Plastics
These sectors helped diversify the regional export basket, traditionally concentrated in raw materials.
Resilience in a challenging global environment
“The recent performance of Latin American and Caribbean exports was characterized by remarkable resilience in a challenging global context”, explained Paolo Giordano, principal economist in the Productivity, Trade, and Innovation Sector of the IDB and coordinator of the report.
The analysis also identified signs that the region could enter a phase of sustained trade expansion, although it cautioned that the outlook remains subject to a highly uncertain environment and moderately downside risks.
Need for reforms and investment
The IDB emphasized that to consolidate foreign trade growth, countries in the region must promote structural reforms and attract investments that will improve productivity and competitiveness.
The recommendations include:
• Reducing trade costs
• Supporting exports
• Promoting productive investment
The organization emphasizes that international trade remains a key driver of regional economic growth.
Performance by subregion
All subregions registered increases in their exports, although with differences in their growth rates.
South America
Exports increased by an estimated 5.1% in 2025, after growing 4.4% in 2024. The rebound was stronger in the second half of the year and was driven by higher shipment volumes, with Asia, the European Union, and the region itself as the main destinations.
Mesoamerica and Central America
Mesoamerican exports grew by 7.2% in 2025, almost doubling the rate of 2024.
Within this subregion, Central America registered strong average growth of 11.5%, although it lost momentum in the second half of the year. Mexico, for its part, increased its exports by an estimated 6.6%, driven mainly by higher volumes.
Caribbean
In the Caribbean, exports grew 14.6% in 2025, following an exceptional 41.2% increase in 2024, with performance concentrated in a few countries and high volatility.
Imports also on the rise
The IDB report also indicated that total imports in the region increased 6.1% in 2025, after 3.2% growth in 2024, in line with the rebound in domestic demand and the evolution of global trade.
Commodity price trends
The prices of the main exported commodities showed divergent behavior in 2025:
• Coffee: +49.9% year-on-year
• Gold: +42.2%
• Copper: +12.9%
• Soybeans: -6.7%
• Sugar: -17.4%
• Iron ore: -7.8%
• Oil: -14.3%
These movements had varying impacts on the income of exporting countries, depending on their production structure.
The 6.4% growth in exports reflects a gradual recovery in the foreign trade of Latin America and the Caribbean, supported by the dynamism of export volumes and sectoral diversification, although with persistent risks associated with price volatility and global uncertainty.
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