Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The Caribbean market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals grew to 1 371 thousand tonnes in 2019 from 1 295 thousand tonnes the previous year, then contracted sharply to 909 thousand tonnes in 2020 before recovering to 1 034 thousand tonnes in 2021.

Market volume edged down to 1 015 thousand tonnes in 2022. This period was marked by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which triggered a global spike in soft wheat prices, raising production and import costs for flour in the region.

Consumption rebounded to 1 093 thousand tonnes in 2023 amid continued price volatility linked to the war, climate factors, and geopolitical tensions. Supply conditions were also influenced by shifts in international trade flows, including adjustments in French wheat exports due to heightened competition from Ukrainian and Russian origins.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Caribbean production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 808 thousand tonnes, marking a 28.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 32.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1,220 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 2.1%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Caribbean exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals amounted to 38.3 thousand tonnes, representing a 105.0% increase from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 18.7 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 61.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guyana and Suriname were the top two markets for Caribbean exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in kind, accounting for 4.1% and 1.0% of total flows, respectively.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Caribbean exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms declined. In 2020, export volume reached 47.7 million US dollars, down 48.6% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 92.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 66.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Guyana and Suriname were the main destinations for Caribbean exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms, together accounting for 5.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Caribbean imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals totaled 139.3 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp decrease of 45.6% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 123.5 thousand tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 256.1 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 107.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of imports in kind was highly diversified. Turkey, the United States, and Mexico accounted for 31.2%, 5.7%, and 4.8% of imports in kind, respectively, totaling 41.7% of flows. The remaining 58.3% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Caribbean imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms declined. In 2020, imports totaled 100.9 million US dollars, representing a sharp fall of 28.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 8.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 140.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 35.6%.

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

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of partners. Turkey, the United States, and Mexico accounted for 23.0%, 11.2%, and 4.8% of imports in value terms, respectively, jointly totaling 39.0% of flows. The remaining 61.0% was dispersed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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