Data for 2012 show a remarkable shift from exports originating in South America
towards greater exports from Central America and Mexico. While exports from
South America declined by 6.4 percent relative to 2011, Central America and Mexico
expanded their combined export volumes by 22.1 percent, possibly in anticipation of
trade preferences for Central American bananas in the European market as part of
the Association Agreement. As a result, the average share of South America in global
banana exports has declined from 50.2 percent in 2007-2011 to 43.6 percent in 2012,
while the share of Central America and Mexico increased from 29.4 percent to 33.4
percent.