(Jamaica Gleaner) Jamaican staples like pumpkin are losing ground to other varieties in the United Kingdom (UK) market, the Government is warning.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Roger Clarke said yesterday that the findings came from discussions with the UK’s Fresh Produce Consortium during the Government officials’ recent visit to London for the Olympics.
“In the the UK, Jamaica’s Bodles Globe (variety) has lost ground to the less perishable Crown Prince variety,” Clarke said during a Jamaica House press briefing yesterday. “Immediately we will commence evaluating both varieties at the ministry’s research stations and in the interim, we will strengthen the post-harvesting system for Bodles Globe.”
Clarke said produce such as dasheen, fruits like mangoes, and agro-processed products were in high demand. However, issues such as quality standards have made Jamaica less competitive.
“Over time we have lost market share to other emerging sources. All relevant agencies … must make a concerted effort to work with our exporters to overcome these challenges.”
Clarke said it would require adopting new technologies including mechanised cultivation to improve product quality and productivity.
“We are already evaluating these systems at the ministry’s research stations,” he said, also pointing to an integrated test management programme to battle fruit fly infestation that affects local mangoes.
Good news for the cocoa Industry
The minister had good news for the cocoa industry though, disclosing that Charbonnel et Walker, a leading producer of handmade chocolates had expressed “significant interest” in supplying Jamaican chocolate, and was willing to buy a local cocoa farm.
“They have asked me to identify at least a 150-acre existing cocoa farm in Jamaica. They would want to come in immediately to start producing,” the minister said.
Clarke said a farm in St Mary had been identified and that the company’s long-term ambition was to process chocolate here in Jamaica for the global market. Another UK company, Black River Chocolates, is also looking for a dedicated supply of cocoa from the island.
Clarke said a number of new brands and products were introduced with Jamaican interests learning more about the UK market.
“This event afforded our team the opportunity to determine the wholesale and retail prices at which these products can be competitively positioned in the UK markets, and this now puts us in a position to make informed product decisions to ensure successful exporting.”
At the ‘Jamaica In The Square’ event in Birmingham, Clarke said two UK importers were looking to distribute products from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority’s Twickenham Industries, including curry powder.
“From our observations, there is significant, unmet demand for Jamaican herbs and spices and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will work with local farmers and producers to meet the demand,” he said.
