Poultry meat and offal market in Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Caribbean poultry market faced competitive pressure from cheap dark meat imports from the United States and Canada, challenging local producers in countries like Jamaica and Haiti. This contributed to a decline in domestic production from 1.29 million tons in 2018 to 1.09 million tons in 2020. Consistent demand from franchised quick-service restaurant chains such as KFC and McDonald's for fresh local products helped sustain internal output. The overall market volume dipped to 1.81 million tons in 2020, as higher imports of 723 000 tons partially offset the drop in production.

From 2021 onward, the market rebounded, with production recovering to 1.27 million tons and total market size expanding to 1.94 million tons by 2023. Regional trade flows, notably exports from Jamaica to Barbados, indicated active intraregional supply chains. The fast-food sector's continued requirement for fresh local poultry remained a supportive factor for domestic output. However, significant imports from the United States and Brazil persisted, and the absence of tariff-rate quotas in some territories meant local producers faced ongoing competition from cheaper frozen meat without sufficient trade protection.

Production poultry meat and offal in Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

Poultry meat and offal production in the Caribbean declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, production reached 1 089 thousand tonnes, representing a significant 13.7% drop compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 13.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 292 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 2.8%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

The export data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 0.8 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 4.6 thousand tonnes, creating a 6.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports surged by 40.4% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 77.8% drop, and the biggest increase was in 2019 with a 334.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key destinations for exports in kind were Congo, accounting for 1.4% of exports, Gabon with 0.9%, and the United States at 0.7%. Together, these three countries represented 3.0% 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, M $ US

Exports of poultry meat and offal from the Caribbean fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value dropped to 7.7 million US dollars, a sharp 52.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 42.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 21.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 58.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical distribution of exports in value terms was highly diverse. Bunkers accounted for 1.8% of exports, the United States for 1.4%, and Congo for 1.3%, together making up just 4.5% of total flows. The remaining 95.5% was spread across numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports poultry meat and offal to Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of poultry meat and offal into the Caribbean rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 723.0 thousand tonnes, a 25.1% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 31.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States and Brazil together accounted for 85.4% of total imports in kind of poultry meat and offal to the Caribbean, with the remaining volume distributed among smaller markets.

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, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of poultry meat and offal imports into the Caribbean declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 714.2 million US dollars, a slight 2.5% reduction from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 15.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 732.7 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Brazil combined captured 82.5% of total imports in value terms, while the rest of the flows were thinly spread across other markets.

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

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