Maize flour and cereals market in Jamaica

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Jamaica expanded from 24 070 tons in 2018 to 29 325 tons in 2023, reaching a peak of 31 053 tons in 2022. This overall growth was supported by a steady increase in domestic production, which rose from 21 450 tons to 26 270 tons over the same period.

Market volume experienced a temporary contraction in 2020, falling to 26 213 tons, before rebounding strongly to 29 540 tons in 2021. The subsequent decline to 29 325 tons in 2023 coincided with a reduction in import volumes, which decreased from a high of 4 644 tons in 2020 to 3 202 tons in 2023.

Throughout the period, export volumes remained low and had minimal impact on the total market size, which was primarily determined by domestic production and import levels.

Production maize flour and cereals in Jamaica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

In 2020, Jamaica produced 22 018 tonnes of maize flour and cereals, marking a modest 7.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 9%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 21 450 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 11.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 11.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Jamaica's maize flour and cereals production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 9 329 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual 5.8% rise compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 10.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 530 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 18.2%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Jamaica

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Jamaica's maize flour and cereals exports increased in 2020. Export volume reached 448 tonnes, up 8.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 12.2%, with an average annual decline of 4.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 413 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 16.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Jamaica's maize flour and cereals exports in volume terms were Aruba, Curacao, and Antigua and Barbuda, collectively accounting for 79.3% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Jamaica in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Jamaica's maize flour and cereals exports in value terms increased in 2020. Exports totaled 190 thousand US dollars, reflecting a robust 24.2% rise from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 13.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 153 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 22.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three main markets for Jamaica's maize flour and cereals exports in value terms were Aruba, Curacao, and Antigua and Barbuda, together absorbing 69.2% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Jamaica in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize flour and cereals to Jamaica

Imports in kind, t

Jamaica's maize flour and cereals imports increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import volume registered 4 644 tonnes, reflecting a 35.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 30.6%, with an average annual increase of 9.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 049 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 14.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belize and Barbados dominated Jamaica's maize flour and cereals imports in volume terms, together accounting for 84.3% of total import flows, with other destinations making smaller individual contributions.

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

World map of product's imports to Jamaica in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Jamaica's maize flour and cereals import value increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports amounted to 2 933 thousand US dollars, which is 38.1% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 42.4%, with an average annual increase of 12.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 802 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 12.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of maize flour and cereals to Jamaica in value terms were Belize (52.8% of imports), Barbados (27.0% of imports), and the United States (15.5% of imports), together forming 95.2% of total import value.

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

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