Unlocking the Profit Potential of the Caribbean - 2nd Edition

The Caribbean Market Overview - Growing Consumer Demand for Caribbean Foods

The Caribben Market Overview

Caribbean produce has huge potential across Europe, especially in the UK. The British love affair with Caribbean culture and flavours has driven huge growth for the region’s products in restaurants, bars and retail outlets. Over the past five years, the number of Caribbean restaurants in the UK has tripled and in the 12 months to August 2019 alone, the Caribbean restaurant count has grown by 144%2. When it comes to locations, London and Central England are the two areas that over-index in terms of Caribbean foods. Caribbean restaurant chain ‘Turtle Bay’ performance demonstrates the popularity of Caribbean cuisine in the UK. Now with 44 sites, the business had sales of £85.4m with EBITDA up £1.7m to £17.8m and 3 year sales like for like up 43.1% (Source: Turtle Bay, Yr. Ending 17th March 2022). Meanwhile, foodservice wholesale giant Bidfood also singled out Caribbean food as a top 10 cuisine trend, while retailer Tesco has highlighted Caribbean fare as an ‘emerging trend’.

1 / 3 UK consumers have tried Caribbean foods which is fifth in the international cuisine list behind Chinese, Indian, Mexican and Thai foods

46% UK consumers want to try Caribbean foods (Mintel 2022)

2 CG, August 2019

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