Carrots and turnips market in Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled carrots and turnips in the Caribbean expanded significantly from 88.0 thousand tons in 2018 to 115.7 thousand tons in 2023. This growth of over 30% was primarily supported by a steady increase in domestic production, which rose from 75.2 thousand tons to 103.5 thousand tons over the same period.

After a slight contraction to 87.5 thousand tons in 2020, the market volume accelerated, adding nearly 28 thousand tons in the following three years. The rise in local output coincided with a gradual reduction in import volumes, which fell from 12.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 11.2 thousand tons by 2022.

By 2023, production reached 103.5 thousand tons, its highest point in the observed period, directly contributing to the record market size of 115.7 thousand tons. Export activity remained minimal throughout, having no material impact on overall market dynamics.

Production carrots and turnips in Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

World map of production of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

Carrot and turnip production in the Caribbean declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production reached 75 692 tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 1.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 7.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 76 628 tonnes, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 7.1%.

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

Exports carrots and turnips from Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, carrot and turnip exports from the Caribbean totaled 140 tonnes, representing a sharp increase of 164.5% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 53 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 23.0%.

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

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 market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The highest export value occurred in 2017, while the lowest was recorded in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 6.1 times. In 2020, exported carrot and turnip volumes from the Caribbean amounted to 331 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sudden drop of 80.6% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 5.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, two main destinations—Guyana and the United States—together accounted for 1.2% of total carrot and turnip exports from the Caribbean in value terms.

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

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

Imports carrots and turnips to Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, foreign carrot and turnip supplies to the Caribbean totaled 11 987 tonnes, marking a significant decrease of 16.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 16.4%, with an average annual decline of 5.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 14 367 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica (37.9% of imports in kind), the United States (22.5% of imports in kind), and the Netherlands (1.7% of imports in kind) consistently held leading positions in the country structure of imports, jointly accounting for 62.1% of total flows.

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

After two years of growth, cross-border shipments of carrots and turnips to the Caribbean declined. In 2020, the Caribbean imported 12 286 thousand US dollars worth of carrots and turnips, indicating a decrease of 19.3% versus the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 17.7%, with an average annual decline of 6.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 15 216 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 1.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Costa Rica and the United States remained the main suppliers of carrots and turnips to the Caribbean, with a combined share of 84.7% of total imports in value terms, while the remainder was fragmented across other countries.

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

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