Milk and cream market in Jamaica

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of Jamaica's milk and cream market experienced a slight dip in 2019 to 201.4 thousand tons before entering a period of steady growth, reaching 208.8 thousand tons by 2023. This recovery and subsequent expansion occurred alongside significant industry developments aimed at boosting local production capacity and efficiency.

In 2023, the sector navigated challenges from droughts linked to climate change, which pressured milk supply. Concurrently, the government initiated efforts to improve dairy cattle genetics by inviting bids for importing high-yield heifers, a direct measure to increase milk yield per animal and support production levels.

The momentum continued into 2024 with concrete modernization steps. The Ministry of Agriculture launched a program deploying solar-powered cooling systems and mobile milking machines to reduce costs and improve on-farm efficiency. Furthermore, the market saw the entry of a new player, Trade Winds Citrus Limited, with its Tru-Milk label, while established major producer Serge Island Farms planned herd and production expansions, reflecting increased investment and activity in the local dairy industry.

Production milk and cream in Jamaica

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

In 2019, Jamaica produced 201.1 thousand tons of milk and cream, marking the lowest output for the period. Production then increased slightly by 0.6% in 2020, reaching 202.3 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 2.1%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Jamaica

Exports in kind, t

The export market for milk and cream from Jamaica showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 11.3 tons, representing a decline of 27.3%. The following year, exports surged dramatically by 155.6% to 28.8 tons in 2020, which was the highest volume recorded. This created a 2.6-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Jamaica's milk and cream exports were primarily directed to three key markets. Trinidad and Tobago accounted for 27.9% of exports in kind, the Cayman Islands for 17.7%, and France for 15.2%. Together, these three destinations represented 60.8% of Jamaica's total milk and cream exports by volume.

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

The value of Jamaica's milk and cream exports followed an unstable trend over these years. In 2019, exports reached their minimum at 21 thousand US dollars, declining by 30.3%. By 2020, export value had climbed sharply by 169.9% to 56 thousand US dollars, marking the peak for the period. This represented a 2.7-fold increase from the low in 2019 to the high in 2020.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Jamaica's milk and cream exports in value terms were concentrated among three main buyers. Trinidad and Tobago led with 35.2% of export value, followed by the Cayman Islands at 18.0%, and Montserrat at 16.0%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 69.2% of Jamaica's total milk and cream export revenue.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Jamaica

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Jamaica's imports of milk and cream declined in 2020. The peak import volume occurred in 2019 at 322.0 tons, following an 11.8% increase in 2018. In 2020, imports fell by 19.9% to approximately 257.8 tons.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Jamaica's milk and cream imports by volume were dominated by three sources. France was the largest supplier, accounting for 55.7% of imports in kind, followed by New Zealand at 23.1%, and Trinidad and Tobago at 8.9%. Together, these three countries supplied 87.7% of Jamaica's milk and cream imports by volume.

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

Following two years of growth, Jamaica's milk and cream import value declined in 2020. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 1 043 thousand US dollars, after a 30.9% increase in 2018. In 2020, import value dropped sharply by 28.2% to 749 thousand US dollars. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France and New Zealand dominated Jamaica's milk and cream imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 86.0% of total import spending. Other countries held significantly smaller shares of the import market during this period.

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

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