Dried shelled legumes market in Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled legumes in the Caribbean exhibited a sustained contraction from 2018 to 2022, declining from 996.1 thousand tons to 686.2 thousand tons. This downward trend was interrupted in 2023 when the market registered a slight recovery to 695.8 thousand tons, marking the first increase in the observed period.

This overall market movement was accompanied by a pronounced drop in domestic production, which fell from 828.0 thousand tons to 515.5 thousand tons over the same six years. Imports, after peaking at 246.1 thousand tons in 2020, subsequently decreased, contributing further to the reduced total market availability, while exports remained minimal throughout.

Production dried shelled legumes in Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

Caribbean production of dried shelled legumes has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 555.9 thousand tonnes, which represents a 21.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 26.1%, with an average annual decline of 9.6%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 828.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 10.1% that year.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 0.6 thousand tonnes, then peaked in 2019 at 1.6 thousand tonnes, creating a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Caribbean exports of dried shelled legumes totaled 1.4 thousand tonnes, down 16.4% year-over-year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 163.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for dried shelled legumes was quite diversified. The United States accounted for 7.8% of exports, Venezuela for 5.9%, and Spain for 1.1%. Together, these three countries made up just 14.7% of total flows, with no single nation holding a clearly dominant position.

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, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of dried shelled legumes from the Caribbean have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 2.0 million US dollars' worth of these legumes, reflecting a 33.9% drop compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 63.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 28.7%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, exports in value terms were spread across a wide range of partner countries. Venezuela took 10.9% of the value, the United States 9.1%, and Chile 0.8%. Combined, these three countries accounted for just 20.8% of total export 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 dried shelled legumes to Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

Caribbean imports of dried shelled legumes have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 246.1 thousand tonnes, up 28.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 13.4%, with an average annual increase of 4.3%. The lowest point was in 2018 at 168.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 22.2% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, the United States, and China formed the core of imports in kind. Canada accounted for 44.7% of imports, the United States for 29.7%, and China for 13.5%. Together, these three countries made up 87.9% of total import 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, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, Caribbean imports of dried shelled legumes have rebounded. In 2020, the region imported 220.7 million US dollars' worth of these legumes, marking a 62.1% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 34.5%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 10.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 136.2 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 12.6%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, the United States, Canada, and China accounted for the largest share of imports in value terms. The United States held 42.6%, Canada 22.0%, and China 18.6%. Together, these three countries comprised 83.2% of total import flows.

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

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