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Showing posts from May, 2025

Operations | Pest Control: Fruit Bagging

One of the main reasons for bagging fruit on trees is to protect it from pests. Insects such as fruit flies, codling moths, beetles, and leafhoppers are attracted to ripening fruit and can lay eggs or feed on the surface. When larvae hatch inside the fruit, it becomes damaged and often unsellable. Bagging provides a physical barrier that prevents insects from reaching the fruit, reducing the need for chemical insecticides and lowering crop losses. Disease Prevention Fruits are vulnerable to fungal and bacterial infections, especially in humid environments typical of many parts of Asia. Spores can spread easily through the air or rain splash. Bagging helps to limit direct contact with environmental agents that carry disease, such as infected rainwater, soil, or plant debris. This results in healthier fruit and reduces reliance on fungicides, which is both environmentally beneficial and cost-effective for growers. Sunburn Prevention Exposure to intense sunlight can cause “sunburn” on the...

Operations | Supply Chain: Jamaica's Landscape

A 2013 study commissioned by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and executed by EAC Consulting in association with Martin Associates sheds light on Jamaica’s logistics performance, benchmarking it against regional peers and global best practices. The findings underscore critical weaknesses in infrastructure, customs processes, and supply chain efficiency that affect national competitiveness. Key Challenges in Jamaica’s Supply Chain High Logistics Costs One of the study's most striking findings is the disproportionate cost of inventory in Jamaica: The inventory carrying cost for Jamaica is 35% of the GDP, which is significantly higher than the US at only 15% of the GDP. This highlights inefficiencies in warehousing, customs clearance, and transport reliability, placing significant cost burdens on businesses. Customs and Border Inefficiencies Jamaica has one of the region's highest rates of physical inspections (50% of shipments), with 35% of those undergoing m...

Operations | Supply Chain: Farmers' Market

Here are some of the prominent open vendor markets for farm produce across Jamaica: Kingston Coronation Market – Located in Downtown Kingston, this is Jamaica’s largest and most vibrant farmers market. Vendors from across the island converge here to sell a wide variety of fresh produce, making it a central hub for wholesale and retail buyers. ( Culture Trip ) Kingston Craft Market – Situated near the Kingston Waterfront, this market offers a mix of handmade crafts and local produce, providing a scenic shopping experience. ( Culture Trip ) Montego Bay Harbour Street Craft Market – This market features a range of handmade products and Jamaican souvenirs, with vendors setting up stalls along the street. While primarily focused on crafts, some vendors offer local produce. ( Culture Trip ) Old Fort Craft Market – Opened in 2009, this market provides a variety of handicrafts and handmade products, with some vendors offering fresh produce. ( Culture Trip ) Ocho Rios ...

Operations | Supply Chain: Supermarket Chains

Here is an overview of four major supermarket chains operating across Jamaica, each offering a wide range of grocery products, fresh produce, and additional services: Progressive Grocers of Jamaica (PGJ) Overview : Founded in 1999, PGJ is the largest and fastest-growing locally owned supermarket chain in Jamaica. It operates 22 supermarkets under brands such as Shoppers Fair, Super Shoppers Fair, Progressive Foods, JR’s Bargain World Food Stores, and D & Y Supermarket Wholesale. Additionally, PGJ is affiliated with seven other supermarkets, bringing the total to 29 locations across the island. ( pgjamaica.com , Progressive Grocers of Jamaica ) Community Involvement : PGJ supports local farmers by purchasing local produce, meats, and processed foods. It also engages in community development through initiatives like the Progressive Grocers of Jamaica Foundation, which supports schools and health programs. Contact : Website : pgj.world Phone : (876) 984-2259-61 Ema...

Operations | Labour: Man and Machine

As we move through the Fourth Industrial Revolution—a time marked by rapid advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation—the world of work is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Karl Marx saw labour as the defining feature of human life: through work, people not only produced goods but shaped the world and themselves. His labour theory of value placed human effort at the core of economic systems. But what happens when machines begin to perform those efforts faster, more cheaply, and often more accurately than humans? Automation challenges the idea that labour must come from human hands. Machines now assemble products, process data, and even write text or compose music. This shift raises questions that go far beyond economics: What becomes of human value in a world where machines do much of the labour? The Essential Difference: Consciousness Despite their growing capabilities, machines do not possess consciousness. They operate according to algorithms and models ...

Business | Market: Priority Crops

Below are more details on the  priority crops , along with realistic insights into what each one requires in terms of land, time to maturity, and yield expectations. Sweet Potato Land Size : 5 acres Initial Investment : Just under J$4.8M Maturity : 3–4 months Yield : ~7.28 metric tons per acre Breadfruit Land Size : 20 acres Initial Investment : Just over J$10.8M Maturity : 3–5 years Yield : ~53 metric tons per acre per cycle Ackee Land Size : 20 acres Initial Investment : Just over J$10M Maturity : 3–6 years Yield : 2 harvests per year; ~10 boxes per tree Mango Land Size : 20 acres Initial Investment : Over J$13M Maturity : 3–4 years Yield : ~5.26 metric tons per acre Onion Land Size : 5 acres Initial Investment : Just over J$9M Maturity : 4–5 months Yield : ~5.87 metric tons per acre (~146,750 garlic bulbs per acre) There was a shortage of this crop to serve the local market in 2024, which led to impo...

Business | Market: Boosting Jamaica's Exports

Jamaica continues to make strides in carving out a niche in the U.S. market with a range of produce that holds both cultural and commercial appeal. Carita Jamaica's review of current exports and challenges highlights significant opportunities for improvement and expansion across key crops. Unique Jamaican Produce in the US Market The following Jamaican-grown items currently have unique recognition and demand in the U.S.: Yellow Yam and Negro Yam Scotch Bonnet Peppers Ackee Avocado (Pear) Breadfruit Dasheen Turmeric Mangoes These products are closely tied to Caribbean culinary traditions, giving them a natural advantage in diasporic and ethnic markets. Breadfruit – The Need for Quality and Off-Season Supply Breadfruit stands out with high demand but poses several challenges: Quality Control Issues : A distinction must be made between green and roasted breadfruit during selection and processing. Cross-Island Sourcing : Finding consistently high-q...