Nutmeg, mace and cardamoms market in Trinidad and Tobago

Earlier Report Observations

The market for nutmeg, mace and cardamoms in Trinidad and Tobago grew from 339.3 tons in 2018 to 368.5 tons in 2023, an overall increase of 8.6%. This growth was interrupted by a notable 11.6% contraction in 2020, when the market volume fell to 314.2 tons, before recovering in the following years to reach its highest point in 2023.

Domestic production remained remarkably stable, fluctuating minimally around 321 tons per year throughout the period. Consequently, changes in market size were primarily driven by trade dynamics. A consistent rise in imports, from 29.2 tons in 2018 to 54.8 tons in 2023, expanded domestic supply. The market decline in 2020 coincided with a sharp, temporary spike in exports to 31.0 tons, which significantly reduced local availability that year.

Production nutmeg, mace and cardamoms in Trinidad and Tobago

In kind, 2017-2020, t

On a global scale, Trinidad and Tobago ranked as the 11th largest producer of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of nutmeg, mace and cardamoms, 2017-2020

World map of production of nutmeg, mace and cardamoms, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms production in Trinidad and Tobago increased. In 2019, the minimum value was recorded at 320.8 tonnes. In 2020, production reached 321.4 tonnes, showing minimal change compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Trinidad and Tobago in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms in Trinidad and Tobago was valued at 806.6 thousand US dollars, which is 17.7% lower than in 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 980.3 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 19.5%. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 9.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Trinidad and Tobago in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports nutmeg, mace and cardamoms from Trinidad and Tobago

Exports in kind, kg

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Volumes dropped to a minimum in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2020, representing a 7.1-fold shift. In 2020, nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms volumes leaving Trinidad and Tobago amounted to 30 994 kg, reflecting a steep gain of 207.7% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 7.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Trinidad and Tobago in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was strongly focused on Guyana, whose share reached 73.3% of total flows, with other partners accounting for the remaining volume.

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

World map of product's exports from Trinidad and Tobago in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms supplies from Trinidad and Tobago increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports registered 77.8 thousand US dollars, up by 152.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports increased by 546.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 86.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Guyana (54.7% of exports in value terms), Saint Kitts and Nevis (16.0% of exports in value terms), and Antigua and Barbuda (14.2% of exports in value terms) were the main markets for exports in value terms of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms from Trinidad and Tobago, jointly taking 84.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Trinidad and Tobago in value, 2017-2020

Imports nutmeg, mace and cardamoms to Trinidad and Tobago

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms shipments to Trinidad and Tobago from abroad stood at 23 800 kg, showing an abrupt drop of 46.8% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 48.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.8%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 53.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Trinidad and Tobago in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for imports in kind of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms to Trinidad and Tobago were Grenada (41.2% of imports in kind), Guatemala (19.5% of imports in kind), and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (16.3% of imports in kind), which jointly accounted for 76.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Trinidad and Tobago in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Trinidad and Tobago imported 161.2 thousand US dollars worth of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms, corresponding to a steep reduction of 64.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 65%, equating to an annualized rate of 29.5%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 16.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Grenada (60.2% of imports in value terms), Guatemala (15.6% of imports in value terms), and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (14.5% of imports in value terms) were consistently the main destinations for imports in value terms, together accounting for 90.3% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Trinidad and Tobago in value, 2017-2020