Dried shelled legumes market in Saint Lucia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled legumes in Saint Lucia showed initial fluctuation between 2018 and 2023. It began at 1 201 tons in 2018, dipped to 1 152 tons in 2019, and recovered to 1 199 tons in 2020. Domestic production remained very stable at just over 100 tons each year, meaning changes in import volumes primarily drove the overall market size.

A notable contraction occurred in 2021, with the market falling to 1 071 tons. That year saw the launch of the government's Economic Recovery and Resilience Plan and the pilot of an Electronic Government Procurement Portal, initiatives designed to improve economic conditions and market efficiency. The market then expanded sharply to 1 414 tons in 2022. This surge coincided with the introduction of the Generation of Employment through Private Sector Development Programme (GEPSED), a policy aimed at stimulating private business activity, which likely increased demand for affordable staple foods like legumes.

In 2023, the market volume experienced a minor correction to 1 381 tons, still well above levels seen before 2022. Local production held constant at 102 tons throughout the entire period, confirming that import trends were the decisive factor for total market supply.

Production dried shelled legumes in Saint Lucia

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Saint Lucia produced 101 540 kg of dried shelled legumes, showing minimal change from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 101 280 kg, which also saw the largest decline of 0.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Dried shelled legumes production in Saint Lucia declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with output valued at 185.3 K $ US, down 3.6% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 15.6%, representing a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 199.4 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 24.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saint Lucia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports dried shelled legumes from Saint Lucia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 57-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Saint Lucia exported 1 t of dried shelled legumes, marking a sharp decline of 87.7% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 4 350.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saint Lucia's dried shelled legumes exports were primarily oriented towards Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which accounted for 98.0% of total exports in kind.

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 data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached a low in 2017 and a high in 2019, varying by a factor of 68. In 2020, Saint Lucia's dried shelled legumes exports stood at 1 K $ US, down 88.2% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 8 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 5 447.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner base for exports in value terms was extremely narrow, with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines alone responsible for 97.5% of total flows.

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 dried shelled legumes to Saint Lucia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Saint Lucia's dried shelled legumes import volume amounted to 1 098 t, which is 4.0% higher than in 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 055 t, while the maximum was in 2018 at 1 103 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States effectively monopolised imports in kind of dried shelled legumes to Saint Lucia, taking 94.1% of total 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

After a two-year decline, Saint Lucia's dried shelled legumes import volume increased in 2020, totalling 1 650 K $ US, up 8.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 11%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 515 K $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 12.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States almost fully determined the geographical structure of imports in value terms of dried shelled legumes to Saint Lucia, with a share of 93.2% of total flows.

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

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