Yams market in Saint Lucia

Earlier Report Observations

The yam market in Saint Lucia contracted substantially over the 2018-2023 period, with total market volume falling from 706 metric tons to 343 metric tons. This decline was primarily driven by a reduction in domestic production, which more than halved from its 2018 peak.

After the initial sharp drop in 2019, market volume found a new, lower equilibrium. It exhibited relative stability between 2020 and 2022, hovering around 400-420 metric tons, before experiencing another significant decrease in 2023. Imports and exports played a negligible role in the overall market size throughout these years.

Production yams in Saint Lucia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of yams, 2017-2020

World map of production of yams, 2017-2020

Saint Lucia's yam production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 409.0 tonnes of yams, marking a gradual decrease of 7.5% from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 31.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 11.8%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 736.0 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 23.3% also occurring that year. Conversely, the most significant drop happened in 2019, when production plummeted by 39.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saint Lucia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Saint Lucia's yam output reached 766 thousand US dollars, showing a robust increase of 10.1% compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, however, production value decreased by 5.4%, averaging an annual decline of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 696 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 1 205 thousand US dollars. That same year, 2018, saw the largest increase of 49.0%, whereas the most substantial decrease of 42.3% took place in 2019.

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

Exports yams from Saint Lucia

Exports in kind, kg

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Saint Lucia's yam exports peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 10.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the country exported 2 963 kilograms of yams, representing a sharp decrease of 74.4% from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 30 246 kilograms, which also saw the largest increase of 275.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Antigua and Barbuda remained the primary destination for Saint Lucia's yam exports in volume terms, accounting for 73.3% of total exports. The remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Export values reached their maximum in 2018 and hit a minimum in 2020, with an 8.9-fold variation between these two years. In 2020, the value of exported yams from Saint Lucia amounted to 5 547 US dollars, reflecting a contraction of 69.5% from 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 49 540 US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 354.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Antigua and Barbuda continued to dominate as the main destination for Saint Lucia's yam exports in value terms, holding an 80.1% share of total flows. The remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

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

Imports yams to Saint Lucia

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, Saint Lucia's yam imports were recorded at 16 kilograms, corresponding to a steep drop of 38.9% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 73.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -35.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of yams to Saint Lucia in volume terms, accounting for 95.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Import values climbed to their maximum in 2017 and dropped to a minimum in 2018, showing a 4.7-fold shift. In 2020, the value of imported yams in Saint Lucia totaled 160 US dollars, indicating a loss of 78.9% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in value terms reflected a strong dependence on the United States, which accounted for 96.1% of total flows.

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

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