FOREIGN FLAVORS
Jamaican producers are mastering foreign technologies, logistics, and production methods to drive the production of sustainable and market-beating Jamaican products.
Longevity alone often speaks for itself, but the fact that we are able to keep providing the same product for more than 40 years is consistent with how we operate. We benefit from a loyal customer and fan base, which extends all the way down to the recognition of our packaging. Moreover, continued growth through strong community involvement and development for the last nine years has been another huge achievement. In the same way, we employ 100 people from within our Walkerswood community and surrounding areas. That does not include the farmers society, for which we either own or lease land. We provide farmers with land and filtered water and are highly dependent on them to make sure our produce is 100% Jamaican. There is huge demand in Jamaica for fresh scotch bonnet peppers, pimento berries, and pimento wood for cooking. On the other hand, we have a network of farmers who have been with us for more than 15 years. There is a growing demand for Jamaican products, but the majority of these are not authentic. For example, many high-profile brands now have jerk products that have not been obtained from authentic sources. As for our broader strategy, Walkerswood has always provided a beautiful opportunity for tourists to visit the island. Over time, jerk has become a popular roadside offering not just for locals but also for tourists; offering seasoning was only the next reasonable step. This is how we started.
A huge step forward has been our continued growth. Our products are becoming more accepted by Jamaicans; however, the most important economic development for the company was the start of a major investment, a USD70- million campus in the country. This will have separate processing, rendering, and wastewater treatment facilities. The output of this processing plant will be water to be used for irrigation if desired. This is the largest agricultural project in the entire history of Jamaica, and we hope to be in the middle of large-scale construction by January 2019, although we have already completed a large part of the infrastructure such as roads, water drainage systems, and everything else necessary for acquiring our permits from the government and regulation authorities. The only way for Jamaica to become a first world country is through agriculture, and we represent an industry that can bring the right technology and safety to food processing, ensuring that people will remember the excellent taste of our products long after eating them. On the animal feed and crop side, we have an organization that does a great deal of work within the Caribbean. We deliver between 15-20 containers a week to around nine island countries, thus boosting the agricultural industries of those nations. We also do a great deal of business with Suriname and have also done business in Guyana. At the same time, we produce affordable feed for farmers here due to our integration and ability to lower the cost of production.
FOREIGN FLAVORS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Michael Lee-Chin, Founder and Chairman, Portland Holdings, Chairman, Economic Growth Council, Chairman, National Commercial Bank (NCB)
Portland Holdings manages public and private equity and strives to build strong businesses that support the well-being of the communities in which they operate.
read articleCommuniqué
A Legal Introduction to Jamaica’s SEZ Regime
A special economic zone (SEZ) is as a geographical demarcated area within a country's national borders that is governed by trade and business laws that are distinct from the laws of the rest of that country. The objective of an SEZ is usually to attract investment to a nation's shores, and thereby increase employment and economic growth.
read articleInterview
Daryl Vaz, Minister with responsibility for Land, the Environment, Climate Change, and Investment, Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation
The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation is working hard to ensure Jamaica's growth doesn't come at the expense of its environment.
read articleFocus: Brain drain
Holding on to the Best
Given its close proximity to North America's economic powerhouses and its warm relationship with its former colonial power, Jamaica's best and brightest have long decamped for more developed shores. The government is now fighting to encourage them to stay at home.
read article