ECLAC projects 20% growth in Latin American exports for 2026

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) projects that regional exports of goods will grow by 20% in value during 2026, marking the largest expansion since the post-pandemic rebound in 2021. This growth is expected to be driven by an 11% increase in prices and a 9% rise in trade volumes.

The economic impact will vary by subregion. South American nations are expected to benefit primarily from higher commodity prices, while Mexico is projected to see growth driven by manufacturing exports. ECLAC estimates that 28 of the 33 countries in the region will see an increase in the export of goods, with 16 countries achieving double-digit growth.

Regional imports are also forecasted to rise by 16%, fueled by recovering domestic consumption and increased demand for capital goods and intermediate inputs. While this trend benefits logistics and transport providers, it may impact the trade balances of economies that increase imports more rapidly than exports. Additionally, ECLAC suggests that modern services could offer a path for economic diversification, although the region currently holds only 2% of the global market for such services.