Primary sugar crops market in Jamaica

Earlier Report Observations

Jamaica's primary sugar crops market volume fell sharply from 1.0 million tons in 2018 to 415 thousand tons in 2023. This sustained decline was driven by deep-rooted industry challenges, including high production costs, persistent labor shortages, and outdated equipment, which led to the closure of multiple sugar factories. The shrinking land available for sugarcane, as former sugar lands were repurposed for housing and other crops like fruits and vegetables, further reduced output.

Despite the downward trend, efforts to revitalize the sector emerged. The government prepared a new legal framework to encourage investment and launched the Sugar Industry Authority Training Institute (SIATI) to improve skills. Major new investments entered the market, including a US$50 million facility by Tropical Sugar Company to generate power from bagasse and a US$1 million mechanization project by Pan Caribbean Sugar Company, signaling renewed interest and potential for future efficiency gains.

Market dynamics were also reshaped by changes in EU policy, which affected sugar marketing, while record-high sugar prices encouraged some farmers to return to cane cultivation. Ongoing government support through transportation subsidies and price controls provided some stability, but persistent cost and labor challenges continued to constrain production volumes.

Production primary sugar crops in Jamaica

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

World map of production of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

Jamaica's primary sugar crops production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 523 thousand tons of primary sugar crops, which represents a 29.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 53.8%, translating to an average annual decline of 22.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Jamaica's primary sugar crops production has seen a decline for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 714 million US dollars, marking a 24.7% drop year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 40.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Jamaica in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports primary sugar crops from Jamaica

Exports in kind, t

Jamaica's primary sugar crops export volume has fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were recorded at 73.0 tons, showing a sharp decrease of 41.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 44.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.0%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 134.3 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 1.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and Canada were the main buyers of primary sugar crops from Jamaica, together accounting for 98.5% of total exports in volume. Other trading partners played a much smaller role during this time.

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

World map of product's exports from Jamaica in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Jamaica's primary sugar crops export volumes have declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 99.7 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 37.2% contraction from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 29.3%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 10.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 158.8 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also occurring in 2019 at 12.3%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United Kingdom and Canada continued to be the primary destinations for Jamaica's primary sugar crops exports in value terms, jointly making up 97.8% of total flows. Other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Imports primary sugar crops to Jamaica

Based on market assessment, Jamaica did not import any primary sugar crops from 2017 to 2020.