Sucrose in solid form market in Jamaica

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the sucrose market in Jamaica expanded significantly, with volume rising from 105.7 thousand tons to 136.4 thousand tons in 2019 before a slight dip to 129.9 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was driven by a surge in domestic production, which nearly doubled from 40.5 thousand tons to 66.4 thousand tons in 2019, while imports remained stable above 66 thousand tons.

The market contracted sharply in 2021 to 100.5 thousand tons, primarily due to a halving of domestic production to 31.6 thousand tons. During this year, stricter labeling requirements for all food products were enforced by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, potentially increasing compliance costs for market participants. Imports continued to grow, reaching 72.2 thousand tons, partly offsetting the production drop. By 2022, the market recovered slightly to 105.6 thousand tons as production stabilized and imports rose further.

From 2022 onward, domestic production faced persistent challenges, falling to 28.6 thousand tons in 2023 amid high production costs, labor shortages, and outdated equipment at the country's two remaining sugar factories. Market volume remained steady at around 105.5 thousand tons in 2023, supported by steadily growing imports, which reached 77 thousand tons. These import flows helped maintain supply despite the ongoing decline in local output.

Production sucrose in solid form in Jamaica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

In 2020, Jamaica produced 62 376 tonnes of sucrose in solid form, marking a modest year-on-year decline of 6.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 17.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 40 510 tonnes. That same year saw the largest decline of 46.5%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 63.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Jamaica's sucrose in solid form production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 45 340 thousand US dollars, showing a slight rise of 0.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 10.2%, with a CAGR of -3.5%. The minimum value occurred in 2018 at 27 438 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 45.7%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest increase of 63.7%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Jamaica

Exports in kind, t

Sucrose in solid form exports from Jamaica declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 137 tonnes, representing a dramatic year-on-year drop of 63.7%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 96.3%, equating to an annualized rate of -66.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados were the primary buyers of sucrose in solid form from Jamaica, together accounting for 87.1% of total exports in kind, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

Cross-border shipments of sucrose in solid form from Jamaica declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the export value amounted to 100 thousand US dollars, which is 61.0% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 95.9%, with an annualized rate of -65.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados remained the key destinations for exports in value terms, jointly taking 84.9% of total flows, while other partners were individually much less significant.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Jamaica

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Jamaica's imports of sucrose in solid form reached 67 626 tonnes, showing a measured decline of 4.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 6.1%, with an annualized rate of -2.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 66 101 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.2%. In 2019, imports experienced the largest increase of 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala (59.0% of imports in kind), Colombia (18.2%), and Honduras (7.3%) led the structure of imports in kind, together representing 84.5% of total flows.

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 a two-year decline, sucrose in solid form imports to Jamaica increased. In 2020, imports stood at 31 084 thousand US dollars, up by 1.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 23.3%, with an annualized rate of -8.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 30 649 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 22.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for imports in value terms of sucrose in solid form to Jamaica were Guatemala (56.7% of imports in value terms), Colombia (17.9%), and Honduras (7.6%), which together accounted for 82.2% of total flows.

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

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