Cassava market in Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Caribbean cassava market grew from 1 667 thousand tons to 1 758 thousand tons. Local dietary habits, where cassava is a staple food, supported consistent demand for derived products like flour and gari, contributing to stable production and consumption.

Market volume dropped to 1 493 thousand tons in 2020 before recovering to 1 506 thousand tons in 2021. It continued to expand, reaching 1 574 thousand tons in 2022 and 1 690 thousand tons in 2023.

By 2024, global trends including rising demand for gluten-free cassava derivatives, increased investment in processing technology, and consumer shift toward convenient frozen and dried products were shaping the market environment in the region.

Production cassava in Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cassava, 2017-2020

World map of production of cassava, 2017-2020

In 2019, Caribbean cassava production reached its peak at 1 759 K t, marking a 5.5% increase. However, by 2020, production had declined to 1 493 K t, down 15.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 14.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.1%.

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

Exports cassava from Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

Caribbean cassava exports experienced significant fluctuations between 2017 and 2020. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 74.0 t, representing an 83.7% decline. The following year, 2019, saw the largest increase at 371.3%. By 2020, exports stood at 129.0 t, a decrease of 63.0% compared to the previous year. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 6.1 from the high in 2017 to the low in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, France, and Portugal were the leading destinations for Caribbean cassava exports in kind. The United States accounted for 67.0% of exports, France for 12.3%, and Portugal for 8.6%. Together, these three countries represented 88.0% of total export flows.

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 for Caribbean cassava exports in value terms showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, exports reached their lowest point at 89.0 K $ US, with the largest decline of 63.0% recorded that year. The following year, 2019, saw the highest value at 255.9 K $ US, marking a 187.5% increase. By 2020, exports had decreased to 116.3 K $ US, down 54.5% from the previous year. The peak-to-trough ratio between 2019 and 2018 was 2.9 times.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States, France, and Portugal formed the key group of partners for Caribbean cassava exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 50.1% of exports, France for 19.1%, and Portugal for 16.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 85.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cassava to Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

Caribbean cassava imports in kind displayed notable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. In 2017, imports were at their lowest, while in 2018 they peaked at 429.9 t, with the largest increase of 97.9% recorded that year. The following year, 2019, saw the largest decline at 35.4%. By 2020, imports had risen to 392.2 t, up 41.2% from the previous year. Overall, imports varied by a factor of 2 from the peak in 2018 to the trough in 2017.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States, Costa Rica, and Venezuela were the leading sources for Caribbean cassava imports in kind. The United States accounted for 63.8% of imports, Costa Rica for 11.2%, and Venezuela for 2.3%. Together, these three countries made up 77.4% of total import 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

Caribbean cassava imports in value terms were characterized by volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2017, imports were at their lowest, while in 2018 they reached their highest point at 981.7 K $ US, with the largest increase of 81.4% recorded that year. The following year, 2019, saw the largest decline at 36.3%. By 2020, imports had slightly decreased to 620.7 K $ US, down 0.7% year-on-year. Overall, import volumes varied by a factor of 1.8 from the high in 2018 to the low in 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Caribbean cassava imports in value terms, accounting for 80.4% of total imports. The remaining flows were distributed among multiple smaller partners.

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

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