Spinach market in Jamaica

Earlier Report Observations

The Jamaican fresh spinach market volume showed considerable variation from 2018 to 2023. It began at 17 079 tonnes in 2018, then declined over the next two years to 16 048 tonnes in 2020. A recovery followed, with growth in 2021 and 2022 pushing the market to 17 597 tonnes, slightly above the starting point. However, 2023 brought a sharp contraction, with volume dropping to 15 551 tonnes, the lowest level in the period.

Domestic production mirrored this pattern, falling from 17 025 tonnes in 2018 to 15 976 tonnes in 2020, before rising to 17 433 tonnes in 2022 and then falling sharply to 15 308 tonnes in 2023. While imports increased gradually, they remained a small component of total supply.

The significant drop in market volume in 2023, amounting to over 2 000 tonnes or about 12%, was primarily due to the decline in local production. Increased imports did not compensate for the reduction in domestic output.

Production spinach in Jamaica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Jamaica ranked 24th globally in spinach production volume.

Top producers of spinach, 2017-2020

World map of production of spinach, 2017-2020

Jamaica's spinach production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 15 976 tonnes of spinach, which is 4.4% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 17 025 tonnes, marking the largest increase of 4.2% during this timeframe.

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

Exports spinach from Jamaica

Exports in kind, kg

The export market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports bottomed in 2018 at 4 152 kg and peaked in 2020 at 13 885 kg, representing a 3.3-fold difference. In 2020, exported spinach volumes from Jamaica saw a sudden year-on-year increase of 121.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 37.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Jamaica in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada and the United States together accounted for 91.5% of Jamaica's total spinach exports in volume, with other countries forming a diversified but less significant portion.

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 exhibited an unstable trend throughout this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 6.1 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 36.8 thousand US dollars, showing a 6.1-fold difference. In 2020, spinach exports from Jamaica increased by 127.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 40.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 166.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Canada were the dominant buyers of Jamaican spinach, together accounting for 88.8% of total export value, with other partners forming a less significant background.

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

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

Imports spinach to Jamaica

Imports in kind, kg

Jamaica's spinach imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 85 878 kg, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 186.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 42.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Jamaica in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States remained the dominant and nearly sole source for Jamaica's spinach imports in volume, accounting for 92.8% 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

After two years of growth, Jamaica's spinach imports declined. In 2020, the country imported 104.6 thousand US dollars worth of spinach, marking a 25.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 141.1 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 20.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Jamaica's spinach imports in value terms remained heavily concentrated on the United States, which accounted for 93.6% of total import flows.

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

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