Grenada’s most important agricultural crop and most valuable export item is nutmeg and mace representing over 45-50% share (in the country’s total agricultural exports by value). The high-quality primary nutmeg product has been in great demand worldwide for its unique flavoring attributes. Apart from nutmeg and mace, the country agricultural exports include cocoa, fresh fruits & vegetables, soursop, and others.
Grenada Nutmeg and Mace Supply Position
Grenada was the world's second largest producer and exporter of nutmegs before Hurricane Ivan hit in 2004. After the two hurricanes, nutmeg (green) production fell from over 4.87 thousand tonnes in 2003 to roughly 0.44 thousand tonnes in 2006. The consequences of Hurricane Ivan, which devastated around 90% of nutmeg trees and caused nutmeg wilt disease, have had a significant impact on production, with the industry producing only 20-23% of its pre-hurricane level in 2017. Grenada's nutmeg production has gradually increased, reaching over 1.12 thousand tonnes (nutmeg green) in 2017.
Grenada's nutmeg harvested area was 1.43 thousand hectares in 2019 and declined towards 1.14 thousand hectares in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19 which led to the reduced farm activities. The harvested area is projected to witness an increment towards 1.57 thousand hectares by 2025 with a CAGR of 6.52% (2020-2025). The country dependability on nutmeg and mace export revenues is to continue to attract the government efforts in plantation area expansion and productivity improvement. However, the adverse weather factor is likely to continue to restrain the growth of the nutmeg area.
Nutmeg (dry & shelled) & mace (dry) supply declined in 2018 and 2019 due to abnormal weather patterns and further decline witnessed in 2020 and 2021 due to the reduced harvesting efforts as a result of restricted movement imposed for a period due to COVID-19.
The Netherlands has traditionally been the major destination market for Grenada’s nutmeg but now Netherland majorly imports (nearly 50%) of its requirement from Indonesia and Grenada stands in second position in supplying country list.
Apart from its well-known culinary uses and meat preservation, mace is now more frequently used in both the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. In recent years, India also became a major importer for Grenada nutmeg and mace.
For more details: https://www.statledger.com/collection/Grenada_Nutmeg_Market
