Coconuts market in Trinidad and Tobago

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018-2019, the coconut market volume in Trinidad and Tobago remained stable at around 18.1 thousand t. This stability persisted despite reported challenges including the decline of coconut estates due to pestilence and erosive factors, which pressured local supply. Concurrently, rising prices for coconuts and coconut water reflected growing demand, particularly for coconut water, influencing local market dynamics.

Market volume declined to 16.9 thousand t in 2020, corresponding to a drop in domestic production. The general context of cultivation difficulties likely contributed to this contraction. A modest recovery followed in 2021, with volume reaching 17.0 thousand t, though it remained below earlier levels.

A significant expansion occurred in 2022, with market volume surging by 20% to 20.5 thousand t, driven primarily by a recovery in production to 20.4 thousand t. This growth marked a departure from the preceding years of supply constraints. In 2023, the market volume saw a minor adjustment, stabilizing at 20.5 thousand t.

Production coconuts in Trinidad and Tobago

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, 2017-2020

Trinidad and Tobago produced 16,800 tonnes of coconuts in 2020, representing a gradual year-on-year decline of 6.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 6.7%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with no change recorded.

Annual dynamics of production in Trinidad and Tobago in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports coconuts from Trinidad and Tobago

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Trinidad and Tobago exported 0.6 tonnes of coconuts, marking an abrupt 55.1% drop compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 58.4%, averaging a 25.4% annual decline. The largest increase was observed in 2019, at 56.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Trinidad and Tobago in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading destinations for Trinidad and Tobago's coconut exports in volume terms were Canada, accounting for 28.0% of exports, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at 20.7%, and Bunkers at 20.2%. Together, these three destinations made up 69.0% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Trinidad and Tobago in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. From 2017 to 2018, there was a 2.4-fold difference between the peak and trough values. In 2020, Trinidad and Tobago's coconut export value totaled 1.2 thousand US dollars, a 52.4% decrease from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1.1 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 58.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 130.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for Trinidad and Tobago's coconut exports in value terms were Bunkers, with 37.5% of exports, Canada at 23.9%, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at 19.0%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 80.5% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Trinidad and Tobago in value, 2017-2020

Imports coconuts to Trinidad and Tobago

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, coconut imports into Trinidad and Tobago increased. In 2020, imports reached 173.4 tonnes, a moderate rise of 4.6% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 31%, with an average annual decline of 11.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 165.8 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 23.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Trinidad and Tobago in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the main sources for Trinidad and Tobago's coconut imports in volume terms were Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, contributing 43.2% of imports, Guyana at 31.0%, and the United States at 14.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 88.1% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Trinidad and Tobago in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, coconut imports into Trinidad and Tobago increased. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 427.4 thousand US dollars, up 16.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 22.1%, averaging an 8.0% annual decline. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 365.5 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 30.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary markets for Trinidad and Tobago's coconut imports in value terms were Guyana, with 45.4% of imports, the United States at 27.2%, and Canada at 15.1%. These three countries combined represented 87.7% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Trinidad and Tobago in value, 2017-2020