KINGSTON, JAMAICA (JIS) – Fresh produce buyers from the United States (US), who visited the island last week, say they are impressed with the high quality of produce coming out of the agro parks.

“The parks have been impressive. There is a lot of opportunity to do business here in Jamaica.  To grow the export is the goal,” said Carlos Capote of JC Tropicals in Miami.

He was addressing a JIS Think Tank on Friday, August 14, to provide details about the visit of the five-member team from August 11 to 13, which was organised by the Agricultural Competiveness Programme in the Ministry of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security.

During the three days, the buyers toured agro parks at Plantain Garden River and Yallahs in St Thomas; Amity Hall in St Catherine; Ebony Park and Spring Plains in Clarendon; and Duff House in St Elizabeth, and had face-to face meetings with the farmers.  

Capote said the buyers have identified several produce that can be exported immediately. “We have already placed an order for guinep,” he said.

He informed that the importers are also interested in breadfruit, June plum, apple, mango, okra, and pumpkin.  “Your pumpkin quality is excellent. The one that we have seen in the last three days are some of the best I have seen in a long time,” he noted.

He added that the buyers will be working closely with the farmers to help them understand how the international market works and “what we need to work on to make this (exports) happen as effectively as possible quickly.”

He noted that while the various produce a re “beautiful” they need to be prepared for the international market in terms of packaging, quality and price.

Capote commended the work being done under the Agricultural Competiveness Programme to increase the country’s exports.

Under the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-financed programme, a series of interventions are being undertaken  aimed at promoting market access by small and medium-sized farmers; ensuring the production of safe and high quality food and products; and stimulating public-private investment in agri-business value chain development.

Through the programme, production is being ramped up in the agro parks to meet the demand for Jamaican produce in the international market.