Citrus fruit market in Saint Lucia

Earlier Report Observations

The citrus fruit market in Saint Lucia contracted sharply from 2 964 t in 2018 to 1 856 t in 2020. This period saw the establishment of the World Citrus Organisation, an international body aimed at improving trade transparency and promoting citrus products globally.

After a rebound to 2 259 t in 2021, market volume fell again to 1 916 t in 2022 as outbreaks of specific citrus pests, including the citrus leafminer and various scale insects, impacted crop yields and reduced production.

The market stabilized in 2023 with a modest increase to 2 005 t, showing resilience following the earlier volatility.

Production citrus fruit in Saint Lucia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Citrus fruit production in Saint Lucia has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 866 tonnes of citrus fruit, which represents a 33.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 11%, translating to an average annual decline of 3.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 024 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 44.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saint Lucia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports citrus fruit from Saint Lucia

Exports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 16-fold difference between these years. In 2020, citrus fruit shipments from Saint Lucia abroad amounted to 9 766 kg, marking an 84.1% decrease compared to the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 61 281 kg, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 1 449.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Saint Lucia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Between 2017 and 2020, Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Kitts and Nevis consistently accounted for 86.0% of total exports in kind, indicating a high degree of market concentration with a long tail of smaller destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 16-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Saint Lucia's citrus fruit exports totaled 7 615 US dollars, which is 49.1% less than in 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 30 936 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 51.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 1 543.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Kitts and Nevis—played the leading roles in exports in value terms, together accounting for 84.7% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Saint Lucia

Imports in kind, kg

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 9 352-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, Saint Lucia's volume of citrus fruit imports came to 88 kg, reflecting a sharp rise of 33.9% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 kg. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 100.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 1 216.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Saint Lucia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. From 2017 to 2019, imports showed a peak-to-trough amplitude of 421 times. In 2020, Saint Lucia imported 2 775 US dollars of citrus fruit, representing a 1 610.7% uptick year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 162 US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 98.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (with 4.3% of total flows) and France (1.5%) formed the leading pair of markets for imports in value terms of citrus fruit to Saint Lucia.

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

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