Agriculture Ministry Empowering Exporters to Tap into Overseas Markets

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has launched an Export Expansion Clinic to provide new and existing exporters of local products with the technical support they need to enter and expand into overseas markets.

Among those targeted are farmers, agro-processors and other stakeholders, who will benefit from information and advice on exporting various products, market opportunities and strategies to tap into markets.

The first in the series of workshops and fora was held on Wednesday (March 26), with an all-day event at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, in his address, said that the clinic series was established out of recognition that existing trade arrangements are being underutilised, and there was an information gap for exporters.

“People do not know what to do if they want to export, who to turn to, what are the avenues, the markets, the potential, and what crop can do well. As such, we are going to be providing that information,” he pointed out.

Minister Green said that the Ministry will also work with agencies like the Development Bank of Jamaica Limited (DBJ) to provide financial support to exporters.

The clinics will be complemented by a Trade and Market Intelligence Portal, which was also unveiled on Wednesday.

The portal, which will be accessible to the public in April, streamlines market information, along with the Ministry’s tools, systems, and agencies into one platform.

“You can go to the portal, and you can see what you need if you’re going to go into yam or sweet potato. You can see what sort of investments it will take, what is the length of time, what is the best [time] to plant, and more than that, what sort of returns you can get. You will also be able to see what the demand numbers in the various markets are,” Minister Green outlined.

“You can see what the United States (US) is asking for, what the European Union (EU) is asking for in relation to the quantities [of products] we think we can supply… and more than that, what are the market entry guidelines,” he added.

Minister Green said the portal will also provide users with ease of access to applications for incentives, waivers, and export licences.

A step-by-step guide on how to export fisheries, agriculture and mining products is included.

Minister Green said the Ministry is also looking across the world at some of the non-tariff barriers that prevent local exporters from getting into some markets.

“Unfortunately, even in the region, there are still some of those non-tariff barriers that we have to treat with. A team from the Ministry… has been working with those countries and we are seeing increased access,” he said.

State Minister, Hon. Franklin Witter, applauded the launch of the clinic, and the others to follow.

He noted the timeliness of the initiative as the Ministry continues its New FACE of Food campaign, which emphasises food security, agro-business development, climate smart technologies and export expansion.

“This initiative is about capacity-building but even beyond that, it is a vehicle for empowerment. By equipping our farmers, fishers, agro-processors and exporters with the essential tools and insights needed to navigate the complexities of international trade, we are preparing them and our sector for success. Our goal is to maximise profits, satisfy external demand for Jamaican commodities and earn valuable foreign exchange while encouraging and reducing imports,” Mr. Witter said.