Blogs

Jamaica is launching a robust agricultural support program aimed at enhancing both on-farm and off-farm employment opportunities, improving farm efficiency, increasing returns for investors, and fostering growth in the sector.

Stakeholders can tap into numerous investment opportunities across the agricultural sector through agencies like the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and the Agro-Invest Corporation.

Jamaica consistently stands out as a top business destination in the region due to its favorable business climate and burgeoning economy, which have contributed to the success of many local multinationals, medium, and small-sized businesses.

According to the Planning Institute of Jamaica’s (PIOJ) 2022 Economic and Social Survey, earnings from agricultural exports reached US$81.2 million, compared to US$80.3 million in 2021.

The demand for fresh and value-added Jamaican products remains high, driven by increasing trends toward healthy consumption and food security. The Government’s orchard development initiative focuses on fostering public-private partnerships to invest in profitable orchard crops for both export and manufacturing markets.

Demands for crops such as avocado, mango, ackee and breadfruit stem from traditional markets and Latin America. This presents a significant opportunity for investors to consider establishing more local orchard farms.

Provisional reports from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN, 2022) indicate that ackee, Jamaica’s national fruit, earned USD 25 million from exports, while mango exports accounted for USD 2.1 million and breadfruit, USD 1.6 million during the same period.

Investors can establish their farms with the support of JAMPRO, the Government’s export and investment agency, which simplifies the investment process, facilitates proper government procedures and documentation, and provides market intelligence sharing, site selection, and business matchmaking services.

Through the Agro-Invest Corporation, there are currently eight agro-parks and nine production zones.

They are Plantain Garden River in St. Thomas; Amity Hall, St. Catherine; Ebony Park, Clarendon; Spring Plain, Clarendon; Holland Estates, St. Elizabeth; Mango Agro Park, Clarendon and two privates Agro Parks located in Yallahs, St. Thomas and New Forest/Duff House in Manchester.

An Agro Park is an identified area for intensive agricultural production which seeks to integrate all facets of the sector’s value chain from pre-production activities such as land clearing, roads, irrigation, and drainage to production, post harvesting and marketing.

Investors seeking a space to process their agricultural products can also use available warehousing amenities or receive JAMPRO’s facilitation services for establishing their own processing facility.

Jamaica offers incentives for large-scale production, including duty-free importation of capital equipment, raw materials, and other industry-related consumer goods, as well as a 20% concession on farm vehicles. 

With a strong diaspora market, robust brand, and favorable climatic and agronomic conditions, Jamaica emerges as the premier choice for establishing orchard farms and agribusinesses.

Investors interested in establishing orchard farms can reach out to JAMPRO’s investment team at agribusinessinvest@dobusinessjamaica.com.