Milk market in Saint Lucia

Earlier Report Observations

The milk market in Saint Lucia underwent a significant contraction in 2021, with total volume falling to 2 595 t from nearly 5 000 t the previous year. This sharp decline was driven by a major drop in imports, which fell by over 60% to 1 565 t, while domestic production remained steady at around 1 030 t. The period was marked by continuous efforts from the Department of Agriculture to develop the agricultural sector, which likely contributed to reduced reliance on imported milk and reshaped the supply structure.

Earlier in the period, the launch of the 'Taste of Saint Lucia' brand in 2018 aimed to promote local products, including milk, for export. In 2019, factors such as rising prices for agricultural inputs and a broader trend toward reinforcing local production signaled growing focus on the domestic sector. By 2024, several new initiatives were introduced, including the adoption of new animal breeds to improve dairy output, updated packaging and quality standards by the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards, and innovative legislation designed to attract major investments into local industries.

Following the 2021 downturn, the market stabilized with volumes around 2 600 t, showing a slight recovery to 2 691 t in 2023. Imports remained at a lower level compared to pre-2021 figures, and domestic production held consistent. The implementation of a phased ban on single-use plastics from August 2024 also introduced new packaging considerations for dairy products moving forward.

Production milk in Saint Lucia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, milk production in Saint Lucia increased. In 2020, production reached 1 027 tonnes, remaining essentially flat compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 025 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 0.3% decrease.

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

Exports milk from Saint Lucia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a staggering 696-fold difference between these years. In 2020, milk exports from Saint Lucia totaled 16 tonnes, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 5.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.7%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 with an extraordinary 69 073.9% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines consistently served as the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for Saint Lucia's milk exports in kind, accounting for 99.8% of total shipments.

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 fluctuations, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 334-fold difference between these years. In 2020, milk exports from Saint Lucia amounted to 19 thousand US dollars, representing a 15.9% increase from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 25 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 32.2% decrease, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a remarkable 33 313.6% growth.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was overwhelmingly the main destination for Saint Lucia's milk exports in value terms, accounting for 99.4% of total export 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 milk to Saint Lucia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Saint Lucia imported 3 975 tonnes of milk, representing a 4.9% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 790 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 4 387 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 13.6% decrease, and the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 10.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru (45.1% of imports in kind), the Netherlands (11.9%), and France (10.2%) were the primary sources for Saint Lucia's milk imports in kind. Together, these three countries accounted for 67.3% of total import 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

In 2020, Saint Lucia imported milk worth 7 429 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial 10.7% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 8.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 6 709 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 7 816 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 14.2% decrease, and the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 14.0% rise.

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

During 2017–2020, Peru (33.5% of imports in value terms), New Zealand (11.6%), and the Netherlands (11.1%) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of Saint Lucia's milk imports by value. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 56.2% of total import 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