Leguminous vegetables market in Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled leguminous vegetables in the Caribbean showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 13 444 tons in 2018, it dipped slightly to 13 279 tons in 2019 before surging by 27% to 16 845 tons in 2020. The market then experienced a gradual contraction over the next two years, falling to 15 521 tons in 2022.

In 2023, the market rebounded strongly, reaching 17 744 tons – a 14% increase from the previous year. This growth coincided with a broader rise in demand for vegetable products across the region. The frozen vegetable market in Latin America and the Caribbean, which includes leguminous vegetables, reported a 2.7% consumption increase to 2.8 million tons in 2023, driven by consumer preference for convenient and nutritious options.

Into 2024, the regional frozen vegetable market maintained its momentum, with import prices climbing 11% compared to 2023, reflecting ongoing demand strength for vegetable products in the Caribbean.

Production leguminous vegetables in Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, leguminous vegetable production in the Caribbean declined. In 2020, production reached 14 941 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 2.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 32.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 9.9%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 15 260 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 32.8%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, leguminous vegetable exports from the Caribbean declined. In 2020, exports totaled 2 282 tonnes, representing a significant drop of 41.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 28.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 877 tonnes, and the largest annual increase was in 2018, with a rise of 15.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary buyers of leguminous vegetables from the Caribbean were the United States, accounting for 44.9% of exports in kind, Canada with 29.3%, and the Netherlands at 7.6%. Together, these three countries represented 81.7% of total exports in kind.

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

After two years of growth, the value of leguminous vegetable exports from the Caribbean declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 126 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp decline of 23.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 9.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 2 768 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 22.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the core of leguminous vegetable exports in value terms was formed by the United States, with a 50.6% share, Canada at 17.5%, and the Netherlands with 11.4%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 79.5% 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 leguminous vegetables to Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

The market for leguminous vegetable imports in the Caribbean showed volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 895 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 4 186 tonnes, reflecting a 2.2-fold difference. In 2020, imports surged by 120.9% compared to the previous year. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2018, with a drop of 17.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the primary source for imports in kind, accounting for 75.1% of total flows, while other markets contributed smaller shares.

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

The data indicates a volatile market environment with irregular changes. Import values fell to a low in 2019 at 3 003 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 6 013 thousand US dollars, showing a two-fold difference. In 2020, imports increased sharply by 100.2% compared to the previous year. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 16.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States dominated the partner structure for imports in value terms, holding a 75.2% share of total flows, while other markets had relatively modest contributions.

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

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