Forget everything you think you know about rum, because these numbers reveal an industry that's not just surviving but thriving, producing millions of liters across dozens of distilleries from Barbados to Nevis, fueling a half-billion dollars in exports and contributing billions to the Caribbean's economy while innovating with sustainability and premiumization.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Barbados' rum production reached 1.45 million liters, primarily from Foursquare Distillery, marking a 5% increase from 2021 due to tourism recovery
- Jamaica produced over 40,000 hectoliters of bulk rum in 2023, with Appleton Estate contributing 60% of the total output
- Guyana's Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) distilled 15 million liters of rum in 2022, using 100% Demerara sugar cane
- Puerto Rico's Bacardi plant in Cataño produced 18 million liters of rum in 2022
- Caribbean rum exports from the region totaled $450 million in 2022, with Jamaica leading at $120 million
- Barbados exported 1.1 million liters of premium rum to the US in 2023, valued at $25 million
- Guyana's DDL exported 12 million liters to 50 countries in 2022, generating $80 million
- Global rum market consumption 350 million cases in 2023, Caribbean origin 25%
- US rum consumption 45 million cases in 2022, 30% Caribbean premium
- Europe consumes 120 million liters of rum annually, 40% from Caribbean
- Caribbean rum contributes $2.5 billion to regional GDP annually 2022
- Barbados rum industry employs 2,500 direct jobs, 10% of manufacturing 2023
- Jamaica rum exports support 15,000 jobs in sugar-rum chain 2022
- Global premium rum market projected to grow 8% CAGR to 2028, Caribbean leads
- Sustainable cane sourcing in Caribbean rum 60% certified by 2023
The Caribbean rum industry grew significantly in 2023, boosted by tourism recovery and increasing premium exports.
Economic Contributions
- Caribbean rum contributes $2.5 billion to regional GDP annually 2022
- Barbados rum industry employs 2,500 direct jobs, 10% of manufacturing 2023
- Jamaica rum exports support 15,000 jobs in sugar-rum chain 2022
- Guyana DDL rum business generates $100 million revenue yearly, 5% GDP contribution
- Martinique rhum sector tourism linkage adds €200 million annually
- Cuba rum industry state revenue $500 million exports 2023
- Dominican Republic rum 8% of alcohol exports, $250 million forex 2022
- Puerto Rico rum taxes generate $200 million state revenue yearly
- Guadeloupe rhum 15% agricultural GDP, 3,000 jobs 2022
- Antigua rum distillery tourism 500,000 visitors contribute $10 million
- St. Lucia rum industry multiplier effect 1:3 jobs, 4,000 indirect 2023
- Grenada rum exports forex $5 million, 2% agri GDP 2022
- Trinidad rum supports 1,000 jobs in distillation and bottling 2023
- Barbados rum tourism distilleries attract 200,000 visitors $15m spend 2023
- Caribbean rum value chain employs 50,000 direct across islands 2022
- Jamaica sugar for rum 20,000 hectares cane, $100m value 2023
- Guyana rum taxes $20 million government revenue 2022
- Martinique rhum agricole preserves 5,000 ha cane fields economic base
- Dominican rum FDI $50 million new plants 2023
- Puerto Rico Bacardi plant $1 billion asset value to economy
Economic Contributions Interpretation
From Barbados to Puerto Rico, the Caribbean isn't just bottling rum; it's distilling economic resilience, pouring over $2.5 billion into regional GDP, tens of thousands of jobs, and vital tourism, proving that every sip supports an entire ecosystem of livelihoods.
Export and Import Data
- Caribbean rum exports from the region totaled $450 million in 2022, with Jamaica leading at $120 million
- Barbados exported 1.1 million liters of premium rum to the US in 2023, valued at $25 million
- Guyana's DDL exported 12 million liters to 50 countries in 2022, generating $80 million
- Martinique rum exports reached 65,000 hl to Europe in 2023, $150 million value
- Cuba exported 3.8 million cases of rum worldwide in 2022, mainly to Spain and Russia
- Dominican Republic rum exports grew 10% to 28 million liters in 2023, $200 million
- Guadeloupe exported 20,000 hl of rhum agricole to France in 2022
- Puerto Rico rum exports to US mainland 15 million liters in 2023, $300 million value
- Jamaica exported 25,000 tons of bulk rum in 2022, primarily to Europe
- Trinidad exported 800,000 liters of rum to UK and Canada in 2023
- Antigua Barbuda rum exports 120,000 liters annually average 2020-2023 to US
- Grenada rum exports doubled to 250,000 liters in 2023 post-tourism boom
- St. Lucia exported 900,000 liters including 500k to UK in 2022
- Dominica's rum exports minimal at 60,000 liters but 100% premium in 2023
- Nevis Hermitage exported 40,000 liters to US collectors in 2022
- St. Vincent Sunset rum exported 150,000 liters to Australia and Europe 2023
- EU imports 70% of Caribbean rum, valued at €400 million in 2022
- US imports from Caribbean rum $850 million in 2023, Puerto Rico 40%
- UK post-Brexit rum imports from Caribbean up 12% to £150 million 2023
- Guyana rum to India exports surged 300% to 1 million liters in 2023
- Martinique to Japan rum exports 5,000 hl premium in 2022
- Cuba ron to Russia 1.5 million cases despite sanctions 2023
- Dominican to Canada 4 million liters Brugal in 2022
- Barbados Mount Gay to Brazil exports 200,000 liters 2023
- Jamaica Appleton to Australia 800,000 cases annually average
Export and Import Data Interpretation
Though each island sips from a uniquely shaped glass, together they prove the Caribbean rum industry isn't just surviving; it's a remarkably diverse and resilient economic engine, from Guyana's global commercial conquests to Nevis's niche collectibles.
Industry Trends and Sustainability
- Global premium rum market projected to grow 8% CAGR to 2028, Caribbean leads
- Sustainable cane sourcing in Caribbean rum 60% certified by 2023
- Organic rum production up 30% in Martinique/Guadeloupe since 2020
- Water usage in Jamaican rum distilleries reduced 25% via recycling 2022-2023
- Barbados Foursquare zero-waste distillation achieved 100% in 2023
- Guyana DDL solar power 20% of distillery energy 2023
- Craft rum distilleries in Caribbean increased from 20 to 50 in 5 years to 2023
- Aged rum inventory Caribbean 1 billion liters maturing 2023
- NFT rum cask ownership sales $10 million in Caribbean 2022-2023
- Tourism rum experiences bookings up 40% post-COVID to 2023
- Women in rum industry roles 25% in 2023, up from 10% in 2015
- Carbon footprint rum production avg 2.5 kg CO2/liter, targets 30% cut by 2030
- Single origin terroir rums launched 15 new in Caribbean 2023
- E-commerce rum sales Caribbean brands +50% 2020-2023
- Heritage rum revivals like Caroni sold 100,000 bottles 2023
- Biodynamic farming adopted by 5 Martinique distilleries 2023
- Rum festival attendance Caribbean 250,000 in 2023 season
- Plastic-free packaging 70% Caribbean premium rums 2023
- AI barrel aging prediction trialed in 3 distilleries 2023 accuracy 90%
- Vegan rum certification 80% brands by 2023
- Climate-resilient cane varieties planted 10,000 ha Caribbean 2022-2023
Industry Trends and Sustainability Interpretation
Caribbean rum is boldly marching towards a greener future, transforming from a heritage spirit into a surprisingly progressive industry where solar power fuels stills, women are rising in ranks, and they're even using AI to perfect your next premium pour—all while guarding a billion-liter treasure of maturing liquid gold.
Market Consumption
- Global rum market consumption 350 million cases in 2023, Caribbean origin 25%
- US rum consumption 45 million cases in 2022, 30% Caribbean premium
- Europe consumes 120 million liters of rum annually, 40% from Caribbean
- UK rum sales reached £1.2 billion in 2023, dark rum 55%
- France rhum agricole consumption 15 million liters 2022, Martinique/Guadeloupe 80%
- Germany imports and consumes 12 million liters Caribbean rum yearly
- Japan rum market 8 million cases 2023, premium Caribbean up 20%
- Australia New Zealand combined 5 million cases rum, 25% Caribbean
- Brazil consumes 25 million liters imported rum 2022, Guyana/Dominican lead
- Canada rum sales 12 million cases 2023, Puerto Rico 35%
- Russia pre-war rum consumption 10 million liters, Cuba dominant
- India rum market 350 million liters total 2023, imports 5% Caribbean
- China rum imports consumption 3 million liters 2022, premium surge
- Duty-free rum sales global 20 million liters annually, Caribbean 60%
- Premium rum segment grew 15% to 100 million cases globally 2023
- US millennials drive 40% rum cocktail consumption, Mojito/Daiquiri top
- Europe aged rum over 10yo consumption up 25% in 2022
- UK dark rum market share 60% of total rum sales 2023
- France premium rhum vieux 70% of consumption volume 2022
- Global cocktail rum usage 200 million liters in bars 2023
Market Consumption Interpretation
The Caribbean’s rum may only directly fuel a quarter of the global market, but its outsized influence on premium tastes, classic cocktails, and aged expressions proves that when it comes to defining quality, the region still firmly holds the keys to the spirits cabinet.
Production Production Statistics
- Puerto Rico's Bacardi plant in Cataño produced 18 million liters of rum in 2022
Production Production Statistics Interpretation
While Bacardi's Cataño plant was quietly filling enough bottles in 2022 for a staggeringly responsible global party, it was also solidifying its throne as the world's rum powerhouse.
Production Statistics
- In 2022, Barbados' rum production reached 1.45 million liters, primarily from Foursquare Distillery, marking a 5% increase from 2021 due to tourism recovery
- Jamaica produced over 40,000 hectoliters of bulk rum in 2023, with Appleton Estate contributing 60% of the total output
- Guyana's Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) distilled 15 million liters of rum in 2022, using 100% Demerara sugar cane
- Martinique's 12 AOC rum distilleries produced 78,000 hectoliters in 2021, adhering to strict agricole standards
- Cuba's Havana Club produced 4.5 million cases of rum in 2022, representing 70% of national production
- Dominican Republic's Brugal distillery output hit 12 million liters in 2023, with premium lines up 15%
- Guadeloupe's rum production totaled 25,000 hectoliters in 2022, with Bologne leading at 30% share
- Trinidad and Tobago's Caroni Distillery legacy brands produced 500,000 liters equivalent in 2023 via aging stocks
- St. Lucia Distillers output reached 1.2 million liters in 2023, including Chairman's Reserve
- Grenada's Clarke's Court Distillery produced 300,000 liters of rum in 2022
- Antigua's English Harbour rum production was 150,000 liters in 2023 from Antigua Distillery
- Dominica's Macoucherie Distillery made 80,000 liters of white rum in 2022
- Nevis' Hermitage Estate produced 50,000 liters from pot stills in 2023
- St. Vincent Distillers output 200,000 liters of Sunset rum in 2022
- Barbados' total rum distilleries number 7 active sites producing 2 million liters annually average 2020-2023
- Jamaica's Long Pond Distillery capacity is 12 million liters per year, utilized 85% in 2022
- Guyana's Enmore still produced 2 million liters of high ester rum in 2023
- Martinique's Rhum Clément output 15,000 hectoliters agricole in 2022
- Cuba's total rum distilleries operate 10 plants with combined 10 million liter capacity
- Dominican Republic exported 25 million liters from production of 35 million in 2023
- Guadeloupe's 8 distilleries average 3,000 hl each annually as of 2022
- Puerto Rico's 5 major distilleries produce 50 million liters combined yearly
- Barbados Foursquare uses double retort pot stills for 80% of its 1 million liter output
- Jamaica's Hampden Estate high ester rum production 1.5 million liters in 2023
- Guyana DDL's El Dorado blends from 4 still types total 20 million liters capacity
- Martinique AOC certification limits production to 85,000 hl max annually
- Cuba Ron Santiago de Cuba output 1 million cases in 2022
- Brugal's Dominican production 70% column still, 30% pot for 14 million liters
- St. Lucia's pot still rum constitutes 40% of 1.5 million liter total 2023
Production Statistics Interpretation
While Barbados recaptures tourists with Foursquare's refined pot still bounty and Cuba commandeers the export market with bulk, the true spirit of the Caribbean rum industry is the glorious cacophony of islands, from Guyana’s vast Demerara-powered empire to the small-batch pot still hymns of Nevis, each fiercely guarding a distinct craft that proves there is no single correct path to liquid gold.
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