(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 on Monday 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 on Monday. “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.
