Browse Data and Analysis

Since 2013, Venezuela’s total meat consumption has declined 66 percent due to prolonged economic collapse. However, since 2019, an improved economic environment has led to stabilized beef production and significant growth in the poultry sector.

This report outlines Venezuela’s food and beverage market conditions, which highlights growing opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural exporters to enter and expand in the market.

In 2022, the Venezuelan artificial insemination market was estimated at 170,000 doses per year, with 43 percent of doses imported.

In calendar year 2022, Venezuelan agricultural imports grew by 20 percent to $3 billion, driven by an estimated 8 percent economic growth and recovering consumer demand. Agricultural imports from the United States totaled $809 million in 2022, up 28 percent compared to 2021.

This report identifies the export certification requirements for agricultural and food products. The Venezuelan ministries issue import permits, import licenses, and register processed food products. This report reflects minor changes from the 2022 report.

This report is an annual update of Venezuela's agricultural product import standards and enforcement mechanisms for U.S. exporters of agricultural commodities, foods, and beverages.

Sugar production in Venezuela is forecast to increase by 13 percent to 300,000 MT in marketing year (MY) 2023/24 due to improved access to quality inputs, a reduction in diesel shortages, and higher prices to producers.

In Marketing Year (MY) 2023/24, Post forecasts increases in corn and rice production due to improved access to high-quality agricultural inputs and seeds in Venezuela. However, access to financing continues to be the primary constraint to a significant expansion of harvested area.

Despite private sector support for biotechnology, Venezuela’s ban on the domestic use of and research on modern biotechnology-derived agriculture remains in place. The backbone of this ban is the Seed Law of December 2015, which also prohibits the importation of genetically-engineered seeds.

Venezuela's economic recovery continues, strengthening Venezuelans' purchasing power and consumption. As a result, in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 wheat consumption is revised up 4 percent compared to USDA's official forecast, while imports will increase to 1.3 million MT. The United States remains the largest supplier of hard red winter wheat to Venezuela.

Food availability in Venezuela has improved since reaching an all-time low in 2019 as the result of informal dollarization of the economy, lower inflation, increased private sector activity, and a growth in domestic production and imports.

Total meat consumption in Venezuela has declined 68.9 percent since 2013 as a result of the economic collapse. However, a better economic environment since 2019 has led to a stabilization of beef production and significant growth in chicken production. In 2022, beef production is forecast to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 287,803 MT.