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Business | Market: Domestic Opportunities

Jamaica has a food import bill of US$1.4 billion, a substantial chunk of which goes to the purchase of food consumed by the more than two million stop-over visitors to the island. When cruise ship passengers are added, the island hosts over four million tourists annually.

This significant reliance on imported food not only affects Jamaica's foreign exchange reserves but also limits opportunities for local agricultural producers to benefit from tourism-generated income. Recognizing this challenge, stakeholders across tourism and agriculture sectors have collaborated to improve market linkages and support local producers.

ALEX (Agri-Linkages Exchange) is a B2B online platform launched by Jamaica's Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism. Its primary goals are to:

  • Reduce food imports.

  • Strengthen the local agriculture supply chain.

  • Provide consistent markets for farmers.

  • Ensure the tourism sector has reliable access to local produce.

How It Works

  1. Farmers register to list their produce availability, expected harvest dates, and volumes.
  2. Buyers (hotels, caterers, agro-processors) browse the platform and place orders.
  3. The platform facilitates logistics and communication, encouraging local sourcing over imports by directly connecting producers with buyers, ensuring efficiency and transparency in transactions.

Benefits

  • The tourism sector gets fresh, locally grown produce, enhancing the authenticity and sustainability of visitor experiences.

  • Farmers gain secure market access, improved forecasting capabilities, and price stability.

  • Jamaica benefits from better economic circulation, job creation, agricultural growth, and reduced foreign exchange outflow.

Supported By

  • Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA)

  • Tourism Linkages Network

  • Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA)

The collaborative effort represented by ALEX strengthens economic resilience, enhances food security, and fosters greater integration between agriculture and tourism, two critical pillars of Jamaica’s economy.

Reference

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