Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Jamaica

Earlier Report Observations

The Jamaican raw sugar market volume fell from 40 148 t in 2018 to 31 951 t in 2020. This decline was driven by persistent industry challenges, including labor shortages, low-quality sugarcane, and high production costs, which forced the closure of most sugar mills, leaving only two operational on the island. Meanwhile, steady demand from the local spirits industry provided some support for molasses and raw sugar consumption.

After a slight recovery to 33 455 t in 2021, the market volume stabilized around 33 600 t in 2022 despite a 2.5% drop in sugar production that year. Continued production constraints kept output under pressure, and by 2023 the market volume had decreased to 30 330 t. Jamaica maintained access to the U.S. market through the Tariff Rate Quota program, which supported export flows but did not offset the domestic production decline.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Jamaica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2017-2020

Jamaica's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form has declined for the third year in a row. In 2019, the country produced a certain amount, but by 2020, this had dropped to 43,947 tonnes, marking a dramatic decrease of 25.7% from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 45.8%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 18.5%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Jamaica

Exports in kind, t

The export market for this product showed significant volatility during these years. In 2017, exports hit their lowest point, but they surged to a peak of 36,552 tonnes in 2018, representing a massive 50-fold increase. By 2020, shipments from Jamaica abroad had fallen to 11,996 tonnes, indicating a sharp reduction of 52.1% compared to 2019. The largest percentage increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 4,891.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and the United Kingdom were the primary destinations for Jamaica's exports in kind, together accounting for 83.6% of the total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

The export market in value terms also exhibited volatility over this period. In 2017, values were at their minimum, but they climbed to a maximum of 15,999 thousand US dollars in 2018, a 35-fold increase. In 2020, Jamaica exported 6,545 thousand US dollars of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, reflecting a sharp drop of 36.3% from the previous year. The largest percentage increase was recorded in 2018, at 3,370.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, the United States and the United Kingdom dominated as the key destinations for Jamaica's exports in value terms, jointly making up 84.3% of total flows. The rest was spread across other markets.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Jamaica

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Jamaica's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form reached just 0.1 tonnes, which corresponds to a sharp fall of 91.7% compared to the prior year.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States was the main source for Jamaica's imports in kind, consistently accounting for 100.0% of the total.

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

World map of product's imports to Jamaica in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Jamaica's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form amounted to 0.1 thousand US dollars, representing a loss of 98.2% from 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Jamaica were almost entirely concentrated in the United States, with its share reaching 100.0%.

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

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