Prepared or preserved pork and offal market in Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The Caribbean market for prepared or preserved pork grew from 5 631 tons in 2018 to 6 673 tons in 2019. This initial expansion was supported by a long-term increase in regional pork production, fueled by local consumption traditions and supply chains, while rising global output led by China boosted trade and availability.

Market volume dipped slightly to 6 474 tons in 2020, coinciding with shifts in European pork exports where French shipments of fresh pork fell but processed products gained. It then stabilized at 6 571 tons in 2021 as stricter pig identification and traceability rules in several countries improved safety standards. A sharp surge followed in 2022, with volume jumping 23% to 8 096 tons, driven primarily by resurgences of African swine fever in the region that constrained local production and forced higher imports.

Growth continued in 2023, with the market reaching 9 429 tons. Despite a 7.9% contraction in global pork trade, the Caribbean region increased imports to meet strong local demand. In 2024, record U.S. pork exports to the Caribbean under free-trade agreements and announced projects for industrial processing units point to further evolution of the supply chain.

Production prepared or preserved pork and offal in Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of prepared or preserved pork and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved pork and offal, 2017-2020

Caribbean's production of prepared or preserved pork and offal declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 864.3 t, marking a slight 2.0% decrease from 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 888.1 t, which represented the largest annual increase of 4.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Caribbean's production value of prepared or preserved pork and offal fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 5 416 K $ US, showing a limited 6.9% drop compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 25.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports prepared or preserved pork and offal from Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Caribbean's export volume of prepared or preserved pork and offal reached 302 t, a 24.4% decrease from the previous year. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 287 t, then peaked in 2019 at 400 t, with that year seeing the largest increase of 39.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guyana, the United States, and Spain were notable buyers of Caribbean's prepared or preserved pork and offal, accounting for 18.0%, 4.9%, and 4.6% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 27.5% of total exports, indicating they were not dominant in the market.

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

In 2020, the value of prepared or preserved pork and offal exports from Caribbean amounted to 1 894 K $ US, a 28.1% fall compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 28.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 29.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. Guyana, Spain, and the United States accounted for 16.0%, 12.5%, and 10.2% of exports, respectively, totaling 38.7% of total flows. The remaining 61.3% was distributed among a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports prepared or preserved pork and offal to Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, imports of prepared or preserved pork and offal into Caribbean declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 5 912 t, a gradual 4.5% decrease from 2019. Imports peaked in 2019 at 6 191 t, with that year recording the largest increase of 23.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 19.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Spain, and Denmark were the main sources for imports in kind, representing 54.7%, 22.9%, and 6.2% of imports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 83.8% 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

After a two-year rise, the value of prepared or preserved pork and offal imports into Caribbean declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 25 468 K $ US, indicating a solid 14.8% decrease from the previous year. Imports reached their highest point in 2019 at 29 904 K $ US, with that year seeing the largest increase of 14.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—the United States and Spain—played leading roles in imports in value terms, together accounting for 80.9% of total flows. The remainder was distributed among other destinations.

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

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