Caribbean Agriculture Market 2025: $9.6B
Crops, livestock, fisheries, and food security data — key exports, import dependence, climate impact, and organic crop opportunities across the Caribbean.
$9.6B
Total Market
85%
Food Imported
$2.8B
Agricultural Exports
3.6%
CAGR to 2030
Market Size Breakdown
Caribbean agricultural output by sector
Crops
Sugar, bananas, cocoa, coffee, rice, vegetables, spices
Livestock
Poultry, cattle, goats, pigs, dairy production
Fisheries
Marine catch, aquaculture, shrimp farming, lobster
Forestry
Timber, wood products, non-timber forest products
Key Agricultural Exports
Major Caribbean agricultural exports by value
| Product | Export Value | Key Countries |
|---|---|---|
| 🍬 Sugar & Rum | $1.2B | Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad |
| 🍌 Bananas & Plantains | $680M | Dominica, St. Lucia, Jamaica, Belize |
| 🍫 Cocoa & Chocolate | $420M | Trinidad, Grenada, Dominican Republic |
| ☕ Coffee | $340M | Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic |
| 🌶️ Spices | $180M | Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad |
| 🍊 Citrus & Tropical Fruits | $290M | Belize, Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana |
Country Agricultural Profile
Agriculture's contribution to GDP across Caribbean nations
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic
Agriculture as % of GDP: 5.2%
Cocoa, tobacco, sugar, bananas
🇯🇲 Jamaica
Agriculture as % of GDP: 7.4%
Sugar, coffee, allspice, yams
🇹🇹 Trinidad & Tobago
Agriculture as % of GDP: 0.8%
Cocoa, citrus, poultry, aquaculture
🇬🇾 Guyana
Agriculture as % of GDP: 12.8%
Rice, sugar, timber, fisheries
🇧🇿 Belize
Agriculture as % of GDP: 9.6%
Sugar, citrus, bananas, marine products
🇭🇹 Haiti
Agriculture as % of GDP: 22.1%
Coffee, cocoa, mangoes, vetiver
Food Security & Growth Drivers
Initiatives and opportunities shaping Caribbean agriculture
Food Import Reduction
CARICOM targeting 25% reduction in food imports by 2030 through local production expansion
Climate-Smart Agriculture
Adoption of drought-resistant crops, precision irrigation, and resilient farming practices
Organic & Specialty Crops
Premium organic cocoa, Blue Mountain coffee, and specialty spices commanding 40%+ price premiums
Agtech Innovation
Hydroponics, vertical farming, drone monitoring, and IoT sensors improving yields and reducing costs
Aquaculture Expansion
Shrimp farming, tilapia production, and seaweed cultivation growing as sustainable protein sources
Cannabis & Hemp
Legalization in Jamaica, Trinidad, and other markets creating new high-value crop opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the size of the Caribbean agriculture market in 2025?
The Caribbean agriculture market is valued at $9.6 billion in 2025, comprising crops ($4.8B), livestock ($2.4B), fisheries ($1.6B), and forestry ($800M). Despite its size, the region imports approximately 85% of its food, representing both a challenge and an opportunity for agricultural development.
What are the Caribbean's main agricultural exports?
Key Caribbean agricultural exports include sugar and rum (Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados), bananas (Dominica, St. Lucia, Jamaica), cocoa (Trinidad, Grenada, Dominican Republic), coffee (Jamaica Blue Mountain, Haiti), spices (Grenada nutmeg, Jamaica allspice), and citrus fruits. Total agricultural exports exceed $2.8B annually.
How dependent is the Caribbean on food imports?
The Caribbean imports approximately 85% of the food consumed in the region, spending over $6 billion annually on food imports. This creates significant food security vulnerabilities, especially during hurricane season and global supply chain disruptions. CARICOM has set a target to reduce food imports by 25% by 2030.
How is climate change affecting Caribbean agriculture?
Climate change threatens Caribbean agriculture through increased hurricane intensity, prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, saltwater intrusion, and shifting rainfall patterns. Crop yields for staples like bananas, sugar, and cocoa are projected to decline 10-30% by 2050 without adaptation measures.
What opportunities exist in Caribbean organic and specialty crops?
Caribbean organic and specialty crop markets are growing 12-18% annually. Key opportunities include organic cocoa (40% premium over conventional), specialty coffee (Jamaica Blue Mountain commands $50+/lb), organic tropical fruits, medicinal herbs, and cannabis/hemp cultivation in legalized markets.
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