Pepper market in Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The pepper market in the Caribbean experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Volume peaked at 2 923 t in 2018, then contracted sharply to 2 416 t in 2019. A partial recovery followed, with the market reaching 2 627 t in 2021 before another dip to 2 426 t in 2022.

The market's trajectory was primarily driven by changes in import volumes, which constitute the largest share of supply. A decisive turnaround occurred in 2023, with market volume jumping 16% to 2 818 t. This surge was supported by imports climbing to 2 565 t, while domestic production held steady and exports declined.

The expansion in imports during 2023 took place alongside a sustained decline in pepper import prices observed since 2017 in the Africa-Caribbean region. Lower prices improved affordability, stimulating import demand and contributing to the overall market growth that year.

Production pepper in Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pepper, 2017-2020

World map of production of pepper, 2017-2020

Caribbean pepper production reached 507.1 t in 2020, marking a significant 15.1% increase from 2019. However, looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production actually declined by 24.5%, with an average annual decrease of 8.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 440.4 t, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 706.8 t. The most substantial year-over-year drop was in 2019, when production fell by 37.7%.

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

Exports pepper from Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

Caribbean's pepper exports continued their downward trend for the third straight year in 2020, reaching 154 t. This represents a 4.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined sharply by 60.7%, translating to an average annual reduction of 26.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada were the dominant destinations for Caribbean pepper exports in volume terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 44.9% of exports, followed by the United States at 24.2%, and Canada at 2.4%. Together, these three markets represented 71.5% of total export flows.

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

The export market for pepper from Caribbean showed considerable volatility during this period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 1.7-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Caribbean exported pepper worth 919 K $ US, which was 75.0% higher than in 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 525 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred that same year with a 31.9% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada formed the core markets for Caribbean pepper exports in value terms. The United States led with 46.4% of export value, followed by the United Kingdom at 22.0%, and Canada at 3.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 72.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports pepper to Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Caribbean imported 2 167 t of pepper, a slight increase of 1.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.4%, with an average annual decline of 0.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 2 137 t, while the peak was in 2018 at 2 502 t. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019 with a 14.6% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 12.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Spain, and Vietnam were the primary sources of pepper imports to Caribbean in volume terms. The United States contributed 28.8% of imports, Spain 15.7%, and Vietnam 12.0%. Together, these three suppliers made up 56.5% of total import flows.

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

Caribbean's pepper imports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 8 193 K $ US. This represented a 0.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 22.5%, with an average annual decline of 8.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States, Spain, and Vietnam remained the top suppliers of pepper to Caribbean in value terms. The United States accounted for 32.6% of import value, Spain for 16.5%, and Vietnam for 12.8%. Combined, these three countries represented 62.0% of total import value.

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

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