Apple market in Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The apple market in the Caribbean expanded from 33 778 t in 2018 to 37 644 t in 2023, representing an overall growth of 11.4% across the six-year period. This increase was not steady, with the market experiencing a rise in 2019, a slight stabilization in 2020, renewed growth in 2021, a minor contraction in 2022, and a strong surge of 6.8% in the final year.

Market size movements were predominantly influenced by changes in import volumes, which rose from 31 534 t to 35 535 t over the same period. Domestic production remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 1 956 t and 2 122 t and thus played a minimal role in the overall market fluctuations observed.

Production apple in Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

In 2020, Caribbean produced 1 974 tonnes of apples, showing a slight increase of 0.9% compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 12.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 4.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 956 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 2 292 tonnes. The most significant drop happened in 2019, when production fell by 14.6%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a 1.6% rise.

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

Exports apple from Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

The market for apple exports from Caribbean experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes varied significantly, with a 9.7-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, cross-border shipments reached 457 tonnes, marking a substantial improvement of 662.9% compared to 2019. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at just 47 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred that same year with a 64.6% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest buyers of apples from Caribbean included Bunkers (accounting for 6.9% of exports in kind), Gabon (4.3%), and the United States (4.0%). However, even combined, these three partners represented only 15.2% of total exports in kind, indicating a broadly diversified partner base with many other destinations involved.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms showed signs of volatility over the observed period. From the trough in 2017 to the peak in 2020, exports changed by a factor of 2.8. In 2020, Caribbean exported apples worth 468 thousand US dollars, which is 175.2% higher than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 22.1% decrease.

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

The country composition of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was highly dispersed. Bunkers (19.1% of exports in value terms), Italy (2.7%), and the United States (2.6%) together formed just 24.5% of total flows, with the remaining 75.5% spread across a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports apple to Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

Apple imports into Caribbean increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 33 480 tonnes, up by 0.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 7.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the leading supplier of apples to Caribbean, accounting for 88.5% of total imports in kind. The rest was distributed among many other countries, highlighting a diverse import structure beyond the dominant partner.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Caribbean imported apples worth approximately 42 186 thousand US dollars, showing a modest decline of 7.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 45 796 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred that same year with a 6.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the structure of imports in value terms was characterized by the predominance of the United States, which absorbed 88.1% of total flows, alongside a large number of minor partners contributing the remainder.

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

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