Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in Saint Lucia

Earlier Report Observations

Production of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Saint Lucia rose from 9 600 t in 2018 to 12 000 t in 2019, lifting market volume by over 25% to 11 814 t. This upward trend continued, with market volume reaching 11 830 t in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which slowed production and cut exports to regional markets such as Antigua by 7% during the spring of that year.

Exports continued to decline through 2021, falling to 120 t, which helped market volume grow slightly to 11 885 t while production held steady at 12 000 t. A major shift came in 2022 when production jumped to 13 200 t and market volume surged to 13 123 t, driven by rising local demand that reduced shipments abroad and by compliance issues that dampened export demand from the UK.

By 2023, production and market volume stabilized at 13 200 t and 13 131 t, respectively, as the market adjusted to the stronger domestic orientation and lower export flows established the previous year.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Saint Lucia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

In Saint Lucia, production of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews remained stable at 12 000 tonnes in 2020, unchanged from 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.4%, averaging an annual increase of 4.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 9 600 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 12 000 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 7.7%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 25.0%.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from Saint Lucia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from Saint Lucia fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 189.8 tonnes, down 12.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 42.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.6%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 223.5 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 68.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Saint Lucia's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews were Barbados, accounting for 58.4% of exports in kind, Saint Kitts and Nevis with 18.4%, and Antigua and Barbuda at 14.6%. Together, these three countries represented 91.4% of total export flows.

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, K $ US

The market showed considerable volatility during these years. Export values reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with the highest value being 4.2 times greater than the lowest. In 2020, the value of foreign supplies of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from Saint Lucia amounted to 119.5 thousand US dollars, an increase of 88.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 9.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 148.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the principal buyers of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from Saint Lucia in value terms were Saint Maarten (Dutch part) with 27.2% of exports, Saint Kitts and Nevis at 24.9%, and Antigua and Barbuda with 21.2%. Collectively, these three destinations accounted for 73.2% of total export value.

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 coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to Saint Lucia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes exhibited significant volatility over this period. The lowest point was in 2017, with imports peaking in 2019, showing a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Saint Lucia's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews reached 19.4 tonnes, a decrease of 38.2% from the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 31.4 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 86.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner base for imports in kind was highly concentrated, with the United States alone responsible for 98.5% of total import flows.

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, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Import values bottomed out in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.1-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Saint Lucia imported 250.6 thousand US dollars worth of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, marking a decline of 31.3% compared to 2019. The maximum import value was recorded in 2018 at 380.8 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 106.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States was the nearly exclusive supplier of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews to Saint Lucia, accounting for 98.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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