Alliaceous vegetables market in Jamaica

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled alliaceous vegetables in Jamaica contracted from about 26 000 t in 2018 to 23 300 t in 2020, then saw a modest recovery to 24 200 t in 2021 before declining slightly to 23 400 t by 2023. This overall reduction in volume was accompanied by a fall in domestic production through 2020, followed by a steady rebound from 2021 onward.

The market's growth in 2021 occurred alongside the enforcement of laws and regulations governing agricultural trade, particularly with the United States as the main partner, which likely facilitated market activity. In 2023, stricter labeling and standards requirements under the Agricultural Produce Act and the Standards Act, enforced by the Consumer Affairs Commission and the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, coincided with a 14.4% decrease in export value and a slight drop in imports, contributing to the small decline in total market volume.

In 2024, Hurricane Beryl and prolonged drought conditions led to shortages of vegetables, impacting fresh produce supply. Labeling rules under the JS CRS 5:2015 standard and continued reliance on food imports, with the U.S. supplying 40% of Jamaica's food and beverage imports, remained key factors shaping the market.

Production alliaceous vegetables in Jamaica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

Jamaica's production of alliaceous vegetables declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 11 365 tonnes, marking a 6.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 8%, with an average annual decline of 2.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 15 131 tonnes, which represented a 22.5% increase from the prior year. However, the largest decline occurred in 2019, when production dropped by 19.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Jamaica in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Jamaica's alliaceous vegetables production reached 78 021 thousand US dollars, showing a slight increase of 1.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 13.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 91 764 thousand US dollars, which represented a significant 33.7% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when the value fell by 15.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Jamaica in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports alliaceous vegetables from Jamaica

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Jamaica's exports of alliaceous vegetables declined in 2020. The country exported 28 tonnes that year, representing a 24.6% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 13.5%, with an average annual decline of 4.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 36 tonnes, which marked a 13.3% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Jamaica in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada was the nearly exclusive buyer of Jamaica's alliaceous vegetables, accounting for 94.9% of total exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Jamaica in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of increase, Jamaica's export value of alliaceous vegetables declined in 2020. The country exported 189 thousand US dollars worth of these vegetables that year, which was 18.4% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value increased by 6.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 231 thousand US dollars, representing an 18.5% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Jamaica in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Canada served as the primary market for Jamaica's alliaceous vegetables, consistently absorbing 98.2% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Jamaica in value, 2017-2020

Imports alliaceous vegetables to Jamaica

Imports in kind, t

Jamaica's imports of alliaceous vegetables increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. The country imported 11 981 tonnes that year, which was 4.5% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 34%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Jamaica in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands dominated Jamaica's imports of alliaceous vegetables in volume terms, accounting for 81.5% of total imports, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller suppliers.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Jamaica in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Jamaica's import value of alliaceous vegetables declined in 2020. The country imported 5 379 thousand US dollars worth of these vegetables that year, showing a 5.3% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, import value increased by 44%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 679 thousand US dollars, which represented a 34.2% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Jamaica in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and China remained the main suppliers of alliaceous vegetables to Jamaica, together accounting for 93.3% of total imports in value terms, with the remainder fragmented across other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Jamaica in value, 2017-2020