Citrus fruit market in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Earlier Report Observations

The citrus fruit market in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines saw volume grow to 4 833 t in 2019, up from 4 615 t the year before. This expansion was followed by a severe and sustained contraction, with market volume collapsing to just 772 t by 2023.

The dramatic fall in production and market size was caused by the spread of citrus greening disease, which decimated local orchards over several years. This bacterial disease severely reduces fruit yield and tree health, leading to the sharp output decline observed from 2020 onward.

In response to the crisis, 2024 saw the start of soil sanitization efforts and a permit for a Guadeloupe nursery to produce citrus plants using disease-resistant Corsican grafts. Separately, the 2019 legalization of therapeutic marijuana marked a shift in agricultural policy, while new airline routes and hotel developments aimed to strengthen tourism.

Production citrus fruit in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

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 Vincent and the Grenadines declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 3 538 tonnes, marking a sharp 27.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 19.1%, with an average annual decline of 6.8%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 856 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 6.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of citrus fruit production in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines declined. In 2020, output was valued at 1 186 thousand US dollars, representing a 22.8% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value dropped by 15.7%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 536 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports citrus fruit from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Exports in kind, kg

Citrus fruit exports from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 11 545 kilograms, showing a sharp 49.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 53.7%, with an average annual decline of 22.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Between 2017 and 2020, Barbados (57.1% of exports by volume), Trinidad and Tobago (15.3%), and the British Virgin Islands (9.9%) formed the core export markets, together accounting for 82.2% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

Citrus fruit exports from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value amounted to 3 869 US dollars, representing a 46.4% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 51.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 21.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Barbados (55.4% of export value), Trinidad and Tobago (17.3%), and the British Virgin Islands (10.7%) remained the main export markets, jointly accounting for 83.4% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in value, 2017-2020

Imports citrus fruit to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Imports in kind, kg

Import volumes showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 16 kilograms, while the highest occurred in 2019 at 233 kilograms, representing a 14.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 129 kilograms, marking a dramatic 44.8% decrease from the previous year. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019 at 1,355.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Between 2017 and 2020, France and the United States consistently accounted for 86.7% of total import volume, indicating a highly concentrated market with a long tail of smaller suppliers.

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

World map of product's imports to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

The value of citrus fruit imports to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 1 319 US dollars, representing a steep 45.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 416.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 72.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (48.4% of import value), France (28.2%), and the United Kingdom (9.4%) formed the main sources of citrus fruit imports, together accounting for 86.0% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in value, 2017-2020