Rum producers have urged Caricom to facilitate the expansion of new markets for premium exports.
During a meeting held in Georgetown on Wednesday with senior officials from Caricom, producers said that the region is well-positioned to supply new non-traditional markets. According to a release from the West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA), the producers further emphasized that the region possesses high-quality products, packaging, and ample production capacity to make optimum use of emerging opportunities in these markets.
According to Komal Samaroo, the outgoing chairman of the grouping and chairman of local conglomerate Demerara Distillers Limited, “The Caribbean is known as the birthplace of rum and has a reputation for producing premium and super-premium products. It is imperative that we capitalize on this reputation and our unique heritage to penetrate new markets where rising income levels are fueling a rapid surge in demand for quality products.”
WIRSPA also elected its first female Chairperson, Margaret Monplaisir, the release said. She is the head of St Lucia Distillers. As the first female to chair WIRSPA, the release said that Monplaisir brings to the table 30 years of experience in the industry and has been a member of the WIRSPA board of directors for several years. Monp-laisir has pledged to maintain the high standards of governance and cohesiveness experienced by the organization. She stated “We have many challenges to face, both in the supply chains and in the international market.” However, she remains optimistic about the future of Caribbean rum.
The release said that a key agenda item for producers was the need to strengthen efforts aimed at reducing excessive alcohol consumption by consumers, with a keen awareness of the negative effects that overconsumption can have. Monplaisir said “We agreed to ramp up our efforts to implement practical measures to reduce access by underage persons to alcohol and to support government initiatives to combat drinking and driving. We have the resources and the commitment to make a difference and we intend to do so.”
Observing its 50th anniversary, coinciding with Caricom’s own 50-year milestone, WIRSPA welcomed the response from the Caricom Secre-tariat to its call for new markets and exchanged views on other trade issues, including the continued availability of quality glass packaging at competitive prices.
