Background International trade in agri-food products faces growing challenges linked to price volatility, trade barriers and information asymmetries, factors that reduce the competitiveness of exporting companies. In this scenario, market intelligence (MI) is positioned as a fundamental tool for strengthening international marketing processes, as it enables the systematic collection and analysis of information to support strategic decision-making. Methods This study employs a cross-sectional, descriptive, and non-experimental design based on a bibliometric and systematic analysis of the literature. A mixed methodology was used, integrating qualitative content synthesis with bibliometric indicators. Results The results show that scientific production related to market intelligence has experienced particularly notable growth since 2018, with a predominant participation of countries such as the United States, China and the United Kingdom. The analysis identified a three-part structure consisting of the conceptual foundations of MI, its strategic applications in the field of agro-exports, and its documented effects on export performance. The evidence reviewed confirms that MI contributes to strengthening international competitiveness by reducing uncertainty and guiding strategic decision-making within companies. Conclusions Despite the benefits associated with the use of market intelligence in the agro-export environment, its adoption remains limited, especially in Latin America, where technological and institutional gaps persist that hinder its full implementation. The available evidence suggests that MI is a strategic resource for improving export performance, although significant efforts are still required to expand its use and consolidate its contribution to the competitive development of the sector.
Altamirano-Gonzales et al. (Tue,) studied this question.