Concentrated sweetened milk and cream market in Caribbean, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for concentrated sweetened milk and cream in the Caribbean declined substantially from 2018 to 2023, falling from over 18 000 t to around 11 300 t. This downward trend was interrupted only in 2020, when consumption temporarily increased by nearly 20% compared to the previous year.

Domestic production followed a similar pattern, decreasing from 1 444 t in 2018 to 729 t in 2023, with a slight recovery in 2022. Imports, which constitute the bulk of supply, also trended lower over the period, dropping from 17 300 t to 11 700 t by 2023, reinforcing the overall market contraction.

Production concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

Caribbean's production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 910 tonnes, representing a significant year-over-year drop of 20.8%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 33%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 444 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.3%.

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

Exports concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Caribbean exported 1 354 tonnes of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, marking a slight decline of 2.4% from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 387 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 145.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was highly diversified. The top three destinations—the United States (11.1% of exports), Belize (7.8%), and Chile (4.2%)—together accounted for only 23.1% of total flows. The remaining 76.9% was made up of numerous smaller markets.

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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values varied 2.5 times between the low of 2018 and the high of 2020. In 2020, Caribbean's exports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream amounted to 3 121 thousand US dollars, up 20.5% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 229 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 7.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 110.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports in value terms of concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Caribbean were widely dispersed across partner countries. The United States (10.6% of exports), Belize (6.3%), and Bunkers (3.2%) together represented only 20.1% of total 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 concentrated sweetened milk and cream to Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Caribbean imported 15 663 tonnes of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, showing a robust increase of 19.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 13%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.2%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 113 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 17 326 tonnes. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 24.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 25.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Malaysia (25.9% of imports in kind), Brazil (14.0%), and the Netherlands (12.6%) remained the key sources for imports, together accounting for 52.4% of total 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

In 2020, Caribbean's imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream totalled 26 453 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest year-over-year uptick of 4.7%. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 25 258 thousand US dollars, and the maximum in 2018 at 32 058 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline was in 2019 at 21.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 18.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Caribbean traded concentrated sweetened milk and cream with many countries. Even the largest destinations—Brazil, the Netherlands, and Malaysia—together represented only 46.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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