Sweet Potato

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Overview:

Sweet potato is one of the top superfoods with an annual production of more than 100 million metric tonnes per year. This market is predicted to grow by at least 5% per annum, driven by a growing preference for this product as a healthy alternative to refined starches. Approximately 60,000 tonnes of sweet potato is produced annually, with an average export volume of 1,500 tonnes to key markets, such as Canada, the UK, and the Cayman Islands. Jamaica is ranked 21st for global sweet potato exports.

Markets & Market Access

• The United Kingdom and Canada are Jamaica’s main export destinations.

Market Performance/Trends:

• Jamaica is ranked 21 st in global sweet potato exports
• Jamaica earned US$3.2 million from sweet potato exports in 2023.

Market Demand

• The global demand for sweet potato is expected to grow by 5% per annum.
• There are 12 exporters and 3 agro-processors of sweet potatoes islandwide, of which all processors have expressed a desire to produce sweet potato wedges and pudding mix from either fresh potato or potato flour.
• The unrealized export potential for sweet potato:
1. Netherlands (US$5.7 million)
2. United Kingdom (US$1.3 million)
3. United States (US$529,000)

Breadfruit

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Overview:

Breadfruit provides an astounding investment opportunity, as the world moves towards healthier and sustainable food choices, including gluten free flour. Approximately 93 million people, globally, presently consume the fruit. Approximately 150 million more people will eat the fruit if it becomes available. There is also an increase in demand for Breadfruit Tostones.

Markets & Market Access

• The United States and Europe (Belgium, France) are Jamaica’s main export destinations.

Market Performance/Trends:

• In 2021, the nation exported 1,537,382.21 kilograms of fresh breadfruit, valued at US$2.114 million.
• The local market is also resilient, absorbing a substantial 93.85% of fresh and agro-processed breadfruit.

Market Demand

• Approximately 93 million people, globally, presently consume the fruit.
• Approximately 150 million more people will eat the fruit if it becomes available.
• There is also an increase in demand for Breadfruit Tostones.
• The projected export potential for 2023-2027 in the US market is US$381.61 million and US$4.47 billion globally.

Yam

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Overview:

Yam is Jamaica’s primary agricultural export based on export value. Jamaica’s yam exports comprise approximately 22.2% of the global market. In 2022, Jamaicas total yam production surged to an impressive 207,500 tonnes, signifying the country's capacity to cultivate this staple crop on a substantial scale. The United States of America and Canada are Jamaica’s main export destinations, accounting for 90% of market share.

Markets & Market Access

• USA, United Kingdom, Canada and CARICOM are the primary destinationmarkets for Jamaican Yam
• Global demand for Yam in major markets:

Market Performance/Trends:

• Jamaica earned US$42.6 million earned in 2023 from yam exports.

Market Demand

• Estimated Export potential for 2023-2027 is US$69 Million.
• The projected export shortfall for 2023-2027 is US$31 million.

Mango

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Overview:

Mango is one of Jamaica’s premier fruits for export, owing to the coveted and renowned flavour profile of Jamaican mangoes. Under the New FACE of Food Initiative, the Government of Jamaica is making more lands available for investment in mango orchards.

Markets & Market Access

• USA
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• CARICOM

Market Performance/Trends:

Jamaica’s Earnings from Mango Exports for 2021/2022 (USD)

Export Earnings per kg in Major Markets (USD)

Market Demand

• Estimated Export potential for 2023-2027 is US$69 Million.
• The projected export shortfall for 2023-2027 is US$31 million.

Ackee

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Overview:

Ackee is one of Jamaica’s primary agricultural exports, from which we earned JM$4.2 Billion in 2023. Our exports increased by 8.3% over 2022. Our strategic focus is on establishing around 1,000 acres of Ackee trees in the next three years.

Markets & Market Access

• USA, UK, Canada, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Europe

Market Performance/Trends:

Market Demand

• This commodity is highly demanded by importers.
• The primary product categories in demand are canned and small quantities of fresh/frozen ackee.

Pepper

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Overview:

Hot pepper (Capsicum chinense) grows best in tropical countries like Jamaica. There are several varieties of hot pepper in Jamaica, however, only two are cultivated on a commercial basis; the Scotch Bonnet and the West Indian Red. Despite the high demand for fresh hot peppers throughout the year, local supply is inconsistent, resulting in periods of shortage and periods of excess (gluts).

Markets & Market Access

• The major export destinations for the local hot pepper sauce include USA, Canada and the UK.

Market Performance/Trends:

• Hot pepper sauce experienced continuous increase in the volumes and value exported with the exception of 2022. Hot pepper sauce export increased by 14.6% from 733.30 Mt in 2018 to 840.81 Mt in 2022.

Jamaica’s exports of Hot Pepper during the period 2016-2022:


• Similarly to the local hot pepper sauce, fresh local hot pepper is highly sought internationally, by the diaspora and other nationals, therefore large quantities are exported. On average 160 Mt of fresh peppers are exported annually at a value of 104 million

Market Demand

• The Jamaican branded hot pepper products have always attracted strong demand and an attractive price. International entities realize the lucrative outlook of Jamaican hot pepper products and have established partnerships to fully capitalize on this market. In 2021 the value of hot pepper products was approximately US$5.42 million.
• Currently, Jamaica is supplying 40% of international demand by the USA, U.K and Canada.

Turmeric

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Overview:

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) (Family: Zingiberaceae) is used most commonly as a condiment, in flavourings and fragrances, and in the health and beauty market. Traditionally Jamaica has reaped wild-grown turmeric. It is, however, proven that the climate in Jamaica is suitable for commercial cultivation of turmeric. With irrigation, application of good agricultural practices, and good farm management, it is estimated that turmeric can reach a yield of 25 MT/Ha.

Markets & Market Access

• The main markets for Jamaica’s exports of ginger are the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Market Performance/Trends:

• The main markets are the USA, Canada and the U.K., and according to processors, the Jamaican turmeric powder attracts a premium price of US$4,000 per MT, which is twice the average price for turmeric powder produced in other countries.
• For the period 2017 to 2021, Jamaica exports an annual average quantity of 872.56 MT, ranging from a high of 1,023.59 MT in 2017 to low of 727.47 MT in 2021 representing a declining trend over the five-year period.
• Currently, Jamaica earns an annual average of $ 232,677,812.1 from export of turmeric for the period 2017 to 2022.

Ginger

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Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a herbaceous perennial crop cultivated in many tropical countries of the world, including China, India, Nigeria, Australia, Jamaica, and Haiti. It is a versatile crop, utilized across the world as a spice, flavouring ingredient and herbal medicine. Following the successful efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining to combat diseases such as rhizome rot and bacterial wilt, the Government now seeks to rejuvenate the success of the crop, consequently including ginger as priority crop under the Production Incentive Programme (PIP).

Markets & Market Access

• The main markets for Jamaica’s exports of ginger are the United States of America, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago (STATIN,2021). These countries accounted for 47 MT (39%), 15.3 MT (13%) and 8 MT (7%), respectively, of total ginger export in 2021.

Market Performance/Trends: