Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Jamaica

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Jamaica experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After remaining near 64 000 tonnes in 2018 and 2019, volume dipped to 62 645 t in 2020 before surging by over 9% to 68 618 t in 2021, the highest level in the period.

This peak was followed by a sharp contraction, with market volume falling by approximately 9% to 62 238 t in 2022 and declining a further 4% to 59 524 t in 2023. Imports, which constituted the vast majority of supply, varied between 54 995 t and 63 372 t, while domestic production remained a minor component, ranging from 3 186 t to 5 246 t.

By 2023, the market volume had fallen below the levels seen at the start of the period, indicating a volatile trend without sustained growth after the 2021 high.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Jamaica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

Jamaica's production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2019, output hit its lowest point at 3,186 tonnes. The following year, 2020, saw production rise to 4,542 tonnes, marking a significant 42.6% increase from 2019. The most substantial drop occurred in 2018, with a decline of 21.6%.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Jamaica

Exports in kind, t

The export market for semi-milled or wholly milled rice showed considerable volatility during the observed period. From 2017 to 2019, exports fluctuated dramatically, with a peak-to-trough difference of 9.1 times. In 2019, exports reached their minimum at just 0.3 tonnes, accompanied by the largest decline of 68.5%. By 2020, exports had recovered to 1 tonne, representing a 115.3% increase compared to 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saint Lucia and the Cayman Islands remained the leading markets for Jamaica's semi-milled or wholly milled rice exports in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 90.9% of total export flows, while other partners played a supplementary role.

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 value of Jamaica's semi-milled or wholly milled rice exports followed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 1,000 US dollars, with the largest decline of 61.6% occurring that year. By 2020, exports had risen to 2,000 US dollars, a 76.1% increase from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2017, creating a 2.6-fold gap with the 2018 low.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Cayman Islands and Saint Lucia dominated Jamaica's semi-milled or wholly milled rice exports in value terms, jointly representing 96.7% of total exports. Other countries formed a diversified but less significant portion of the market.

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

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

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Jamaica

Imports in kind, t

Jamaica's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice showed a downward trend from 2017 to 2020, decreasing by 9.3% overall, which equates to an annualized rate of 3.2%. In 2019, imports saw the largest increase of 1.0%, while 2018 recorded the largest decline of 5.6%. By 2020, imports had fallen to 4.9% below the previous year's level.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Guyana and Suriname were the primary sources for Jamaica's semi-milled or wholly milled rice imports in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 93.4% of total import flows, with the remaining share distributed among other markets.

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

Jamaica's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports reached their peak at 29,615,000 US dollars, with the largest increase of 0.8% occurring that year. By 2020, imports had decreased to 28,589,000 US dollars, a modest 3.1% drop from the previous year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 2.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Guyana and Suriname formed a dominant pair for Jamaica's semi-milled or wholly milled rice imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 86.5% of total import flows. Other countries represented the residual share of the market.

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

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