Caribbean

Caribbean

Market Overview

  • Market for $27 million in U.S. table egg and egg products exports during 2016, equivalent to more than 33 million dozen eggs and accounting for 13.3% of $203 million total value of U.S. exports
  • Table eggs represented almost $24 million of this total, accounting for 19% of total value of U.S. table egg exports in 2016
  • Egg product exports, valued at $3.3 million, accounted for about 4% of total value of U.S. egg product exports—both values and shares were records
  • More than 40 million people in Caribbean, excluding U.S. Territories and Belize, Guyana and Suriname
  • Record 29.3 million overnight tourist arrivals and 26.3 million cruise ship passenger arrivals reported by Caribbean Tourism Organization in 2016
  • Air traffic to Caribbean projected to grow 3.4% annually over next 20 years, reaching 76.5 million passengers annually by 2035, according to IATA forecasts
  • 2010-14, prior to AI, U.S. egg and products exports to Caribbean equivalent to 8.8 million dozen annually
  • 2016, total jumped to more than 33 million dozen, 1.1 million case-equivalents, more than 90% as table eggs
  • January – April 2017, table egg exports dropped sharply, while egg products grew
  • Caribbean egg production varies substantially year-to-year, limiting availability to consumers and others without imports
  • Caribbean Economic Community (CARICOM) countries reliant on imports for 1/3-1/2 of egg consumption. Top markets in dependence on egg imports:
    • Haiti, Guyana, Bahamas and Trinidad & Tobago, importing half or more of supply, at least in some years
    • Bermuda, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Suriname and St. Kitts imported 10-49%

Market Opportunity

  • Egg consumption generally underdeveloped in much of region
  • Combination of potential demand growth from local populations and tourists
  • Use of egg products especially low
  • Health and nutrition challenges, especially among mothers and young children and elderly and school children
  • High levels of obesity, 53-69%, except in Haiti, with significant levels of hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease
    • Increasing egg consumption can potentially be part of strategy to improve nutrition and health
  • Tripling export value from 2016 level, going forward, with medium-term goal of 150 eggs per capita average consumption, likely attainable and allows for stronger local production
    • Will require major market development effort and substantial commitment of resources
    • Represents medium-term goal of 100 million dozen equivalent eggs and products

Target Segments

  • Foodservice/HRI, including QSRs and casual dining, airline and other catering
  • Food manufacturing with focus on baking, frozen foods and baking mixes
  • Grocery/Modern super and hypermarkets.
  • Importers/Distributors