Salt, fat, acid and heat are four popular elements of good cooking.^[1] For the Caribbean region, these just might expand to five elements: salt, fat, acid, heat and sweet. From a history of sugar plantations to harvests of juicy tropical fruits, sweet might just be the 5^th element in the treasure trove of flavours that influence Caribbean cuisine. From sweet mango pepper sauces to desicated coconuts, fruit cordials and frozen fruit pulps. Sweet features prominently alongside other key elements of cooking in Caribbean condiments, sauces, marinades, flours and other processed food products.

The Caribbean region, known for its rich cultural heritage, evolved through a convergence of cultural influences, including Indigenous, African, European, Indian and Asian, across various islands. These diverse influences, paired with each island’s own evolving culture and available plants and other ingredients, has birthed a captivating fusion of flavours that is different across every island.

At the renowned Food Industry trade fair, Agroalimentaria 2023, top exporting Caribbean brands and products will be showcased. These include products from Jamaica in the North to Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago in the South, to Westward Belize, and the Eastern islands of the Lesser Antilles, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A taste of the Caribbean will be showcased, offering a myriad of processed and pantry food products to delight palettes.

One trend report indicates that “consumers are keen to try exotic street food flavours as a form of escapism”, that “table sauces, seasonings and oils will serve as “Unguilty Pleasures” and that vegan and holistic health options will be in focus^[2]. Businesses across the Caribbean are poised to respond to trends and meet consumer desires. International buyers can discover some of these top exporting businesses at Agroalimentaria 2023.

Synonymous with Jamaican cooking is jerk. C Benjamin Group Ltd (formerly Benlar Foods LTD) offers up this culinary delight and other sauces and pastes that are 100% vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. Consumers can enjoy Jamaican flavours like curry jerk paste and hot jerk paste along with other saucy delights like honey-ginger pepper sauce, sweet mango pepper sauce and scotch bonnet pepper sauce.

Serving up an array of sauces is Belizean company, Marie Sharp’s. A family-owned business that makes their signature product with the freshest vegetables from their farm and the finest ingredients, Marie Sharp’s lives up to their slogan, “Proud Products of Belize”. Distributed worldwide, Marie Sharp’s sauces boast farm-to-bottle freshness with a sharp focus on flavour. Their Habanero pepper-sauce boasts a unique carrot-based blend that achieves the perfect balance between flavour and heat. Available in a variety of blends, including sweet and smoked varieties, Marie Sharp’s sauces promise to bring the heat and deliver mild to comatose heat levels.

Heat, sweet and zingy goodness are among the vibrant flavour offerings of VincyFresh, from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Zingy garlic and ginger marinade, sweet ginger hot sauce, vibrant herb and pepper marinade and hot Caribbean pepper sauce feature among the lineup of tantalising offerings. Locally owned and managed, VincyFresh products are crafted from the finest ingredients grown by local farmers. Vincy Fresh offers a range of marinades, sauces and frozen fruit pulp.

Blending sweet with heat in gourmet hot pepper sauces is Llewellyn´s. Crafted in Rawlins Village, “the breadbasket of Nevis,” these culinary creations embrace a medley of locally sourced treasures from the village and from sibling island, St. Kitts. These gourmet sauces promise character with authentic island flavours like thyme, mango, ginger and guava to complement the hot, spicy sweetness of red and yellow scotch bonnet peppers. A product of British-born chef, Llewellyn O¨Neill Clarke, Llewellyn´s pepper sauces capture the essence of Nevis. In addition, Llewellyn’s also offers cooking oil, vinegar and salad dressing, a compliment to any pantry.

Wheat Flour, a traditional pantry staple, has been replaced or complimented in some pantries by naturally gluten-free and vegan root vegetable flours like cassava. Consumers in search of vegan, natural and healthy lifestyles, including those with gluten sensitivities, may find a range of modern pantry staples to suit their lifestyle from Marthiland, out of Suriname. Mathiland’s Bam Bino line of products includes the naturally gluten-free cassava flour and other products to complement a healthy lifestyle like rice flour, banana porridge, wheat semolina and icing sugar.

Nut flours, like coconut flour, also feature prominently in gluten-free and healthy lifestyle options. Only Coconuts, a brand of Precision Global Inc.http://www.onlycoconuts.com, brings the versatility of coconuts to market, with a range of products from this naturally gluten-free and high-fibre superfood. Their product line-up features naturally gluten-free coconut flour, virgin coconut oil, refined coconut oil, desiccated coconuts, and coconut chips. Packed with healthy fats and antioxidants, coconuts can support health and wellness when regularly consumed. By carefully hand-picking every coconut and monitoring all stages of the process, this brand offers only the best, only the purest, Only Coconuts.

RHS Marketing, an award-winning company from Trinidad and Tobago takes pride in manufacturing products that have their roots in the Caribbean and its cultural diversity. They are one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of premium quality sauces, seasonings, spices, condiments, jellies, fruit cordials and essences, along with drinks from one of the hottest new wellness trend ingredients: seamoss. Their offerings include products for both sweet and savoury preparations: ranging from essences like nutmeg, mixed, clove, banana and kola to condiments like mango kuchela, tamarind chutney, chalta amchar to West Indian pepper sauces, hot sauces and even a Vintage West Indian pepper sauce, among other products.

The fusion of culture and tradition expressed in Caribbean processed food products unlocks a world of flavor and naturally healthy ingredients in an array of products to compliment and enhance modern food experiences.

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^[1] Norsat, Samin. “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat.” SALT FAT ACID HEAT, www.saltfatacidheat.com/. Accessed 22 May 2023.

^[2] “The Future of Table Sauces, Oils and Seasonings – 2023 : Consumer Market Research Report : Mintel.Com.” Mintel, 10 May 2023, store.mintel.com/report/the-future-of-table-sauces-oils-and-seasonings-market-report?

The ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, once said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” This philosophy continues to resonate today, shaping current trends and lifestyles. People now view their food choices as a means of promoting health, well-being, and preventative health management. From herbal teas, tinctures, powders and supplements to meditation, digital detoxes and yoga, individuals are looking for holistic approaches to feeling their best. Research indicates that, “The rise in conscientious consumption has the potential to greatly impact the future of nutrition, health and wellness”.^[1]

From the Caribbean, with its rich base of folklore practices^[2] and traditional knowledge involving the use of medicinal plants^[3], new products are emerging that combine traditional wellness secrets with modern insights. These products cater to global consumers’ desires for quality products, plant-based foods, nutraceuticals, functional foods and natural food products that promote health and wellness.

At the renowned Food Industry trade fair, Agroalimentaria 2023, top exporting Caribbean brands and products will be showcased, offering a myriad of benefits for individuals seeking optimal health and well-being.

Bahamian company, Native Organic’s LLC, manufactures a line of 100% natural, pure and potent herbal dietary supplement capsules. Their vegan capsules, made from plants like soursop, papaya, cerasee, moringa, sea moss support overall wellness along with other capsules for colon cleansing, detox, and weight loss.

Native Organic’s line of supplements and capsules contain bioactive compounds, enzymes, and alkaloids that can offer functional benefits. Vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin B3 and B6, Iron, and Potassium which are present in Ginger and Turmeric contain more than 300 naturally occurring components including beta-carotene, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), calcium, flavonoids, fiber, iron, niacin, potassium, zinc, and other nutrients. Ginger and Turmeric capsules contain plants that have been used to treat ailments, ranging from migraines to chronic inflammation and fatigue.

Cerasee or bitter melon is traditionally used to help reduce constipation, boost immune functions, stabilise the body’s natural functions, and treat common colds and flu. Cerasee vegan capsules help consumers embrace the benefits of bitter melon in more palatable ways.

Other capsules from Native Organic’s may contribute to eliminating toxins (Organic Colon Cleanse Detox Capsules), improving digestive health (Papaya vegan capsules), and boosting energy and enhancing endurance (Organic Sea Moss Capsules), among other benefits. Native Organic’s helps consumers embrace the power of natural supplements to support their health and well-being.

Caribbean Agro Producers Corp from Dominica is dedicated to producing a wide range of health-enhancing products including capsules, herbal teas, tinctures, powders, spices, and gourmet ginger syrup. Their “Give” brand by Chiacell Biological is dedicated to the research and development (R&D) of healthy, naturally grown herbal teas. The product lineup for teas features premium and herbal tea blends that reflect a traditionally Caribbean “ethnobotanical apothecary”. Each tea product is titled to highlight its specific advantages. From Diabetea, made with Spanish Needle and Neem (Bidens Pilosa and Azadirachta Indica) to Vigor, made with Bois Bandé (Richeria Grandis, used traditionally as an aphrodisiac), their teas cover a diverse range of health concerns. Other popular plants featured in their products include Moringa and Soursop in Revivify, Vervain and Guava in Nerves & Veins and Noni and Ginger in Digestive Health. Additional product offerings include Cleanse, Corossol, Weight Loss, Circulation, Breathe Easy, Joint Health, and Immunity.

By harnessing the power of natural ingredients, Caribbean Agro Producers Corp offers products that can contribute to the well-being of individuals seeking holistic health approaches.

With over forty different types of teas and 60% of its products being exported, Jamaican Teas is the largest producer of teas in the Caribbean. They are the award-winning company that manufactures the rapidly growing brand, Caribbean Dreams. Caribbean Dreams’ tea product lineup features 3 main product lines: Select Tea Infusions, Wellness Teas and Flavoured Teas.

Select Tea Infusions features premium quality products that are expertly blended with the consumer in mind. Ingredients like lemongrass, rosehips, orange leaves and other plants are featured in various blends. Ingredients are carefully selected to evoke feelings of warmth and comfort while balancing consumers’ need for uniqueness, wellness, delectable flavours, and fulfillment.

Wellness Teas are focused on supporting a healthy lifestyle by introducing a variety of herbs and spices that contain many health benefits while Flavoured Teas feature a wide variety of flavourful herbal teas that are made with popular herbs and spices that not only taste good but are good for you too.

In addition to black, green and herbal teas, Jamaican Teas also offers seasoning, loose tea, instant tea and a range of pastas and other pantry products.

RHS Marketing, an award-winning company from Trinidad, takes pride in manufacturing products that have their roots in the Caribbean and its cultural diversity. Their product lineup includes one of the hottest new wellness trends, traditionally known and used in Ireland and the Caribbean: sea moss. Popularized for both health and beauty benefits, Irish sea moss (Chondrus Crispus) is a species of red algae that has attracted praise from health enthusiasts and mainstream celebrities with #seamoss appearing in over 1.2 million Instagram posts. Catering to the demand for sea moss products, RHS Marketing offers sea moss drinks (concentrate) and dried Irish Sea moss. In addition to sea moss products, they also offer a range of sauces, seasonings, spices, condiments, jellies, fruit cordials and essences.

The fusion of traditional Caribbean practices with modern nutrition and wellness insights has given rise to an array of products from the region that help consumers prioritize health and well-being.

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^[1] https://store.mintel.com/report/the-future-of-nutrition-health-and-wellness-market-report

^[2] “The Use of Medicinal Herbs in Barbados.” Medicinal Plants of Barbados for the Treatment of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, Univ. of the West Indies Press, Kingston, 2015, p. 5.

^[3] Vujicic, T; Cohall, D. “Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on the Use of Botanical Medicines in a Rural Caribbean Territory.” Frontiers in Pharmacology, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34776949/. Accessed 15 May 2023.

A group of Haitian and Dominican Business Supporting Organizations, led by  Chambre du Commerce et d’industrie d’ Haïti (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Haiti) and the Federación Dominicana de Cámaras de Comercio-FEDOCAMARAS (Dominican Federation of Chambers of Commerce) strengthened collaboration ties through their joint participation in a Best Practices Mission to Buenos Aires, Argentina. This mission was coordinated by Caribbean Export as part of its Private Sector Dialogue Work Plan stemming out of the implementation of the Trade and Private Sector Component of the Haiti-Dominican Republic Binational Cooperation Program, financed by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF).

The delegation was comprised by Chambre du Commerce et d’Industrie d’Haïti-CCIH (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Haiti), Association Des Industries d’Haïti-ADIH (Association of Industries of Haiti), the American Chamber of Commerce in Haiti-AmCham Haiti and the Chambre de Conciliation et d’Arbitrage d’Haiti-CCAH (Chamber of Conciliation and Arbitration of Haiti),  Federación Dominicana de Cámaras de Comercio-FEDOCAMARAS (Dominican Federation of Chambers of Commerce), Cámara de Comercio y Producción de Santo Domingo-CCPSD (Chamber of Commerce and Production of Santo Domingo), Asociación Dominicana de Exportadores-ADOEXPO (Dominican Exporters’ Association) and the Centro de Resolución Alternativa de Controversias de la República Dominicana-CRC (Dominican Republic’s Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution).

Argentina has a long track record of supporting export of its services industry in a worldwide scale, namely in the innovation and technology sector. Such is the case that Argentina has eleven (11) companies that are considered unicorns (valued at over USD$1 billion). Moreover, Argentina has had to overcome major challenges in the political and social realm that have greatly affected private sector development and overall trade.  In this context, Caribbean Export organized this mission to enable r Haitian and Dominican BSOs to discuss what operational and policy frameworks were put in place to support Argentina’s private sector; along with the challenges that were faced and the best practices of what worked.

During the mission, the delegation was able to engage and share best practices with the Cámara Argentina de Comercio y Servicios-CAC (Chamber of Commerce and Services of Argentina), which served as the primary host for this mission, along other private sector support institutions. These exchanges allowed participating BSOs to learn about the services provided by their counterparts in Argentina and improve their technical capacity to support the country’s business development with the appropriate tools to improve their management. In addition, the delegation was able to engage with the Cámara Argentina de Comercio Electrónico-CACE (Digital Chamber of Commerce of Argentina), allowing the acquisition of knowledge about the electronic commerce program (experience and training) implemented by after the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of increasing the competitiveness of the private exporting sector.

With this activity, the participating chambers of commerce will be able to increase the quantity and quality of the services offered to their members and improve their long-term sustainability, while strengthening their collective interinstitutional cooperation ties across the border and the overall binational private sector.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – Caribbean Export’s Executive Director, Deodat Maharaj, visited the Dominican Republic  in March 2023 where he met with key stakeholders from the public and private sector. This was Mr. Maharaj’s first mission to the Subregional Office since taking up the post of Executive Director. While in Santo Domingo, he held meetings with the Dominican Republic Exporters Association (ADOEXPO), the Dominican Republic Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ProDominicana), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX), Ministry of Economy and Planning (MEPYD)and the Vice Ministry of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs. Mr. Maharaj also had the opportunity to discuss regional matters with the Ambassador of the European Union to the Dominican Republic.

During his visit, Maharaj had the opportunity to meet with the press and exchange information about the Agency’s regional programs. He also spoke on how the Agency is undergoing a transition process that seeks to align with new areas relevant to international economic development, such as the transition to a green economy, the incorporation of technology in traditional economic sectors, and innovation and digitalization of our business across the board. Maharaj shared the Agency’s vision of leveraging the Subregional office in the Dominican Republic to serve as a bridge to enhance commercial opportunities between Latin America and the rest of the Caribbean.

Besides the high-level stakeholder meetings, Maharaj spent some time engaging with local media outlets in order to raise the visibility profile of the Agency. He was a guest on the radio program “Almuerzo de Negocios,” where he highlighted some of the success stories of Dominican companies abroad through the agency’s programs that have strengthened the commercial exchange of regional businesses. He also discussed the upcoming Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF), which will be held in the Bahamas in October of this year. The event aims to attract investors to the region and will focus on attracting investment in the Agrotech, Green Economy, and Technology sectors.

In an interview with El Nacional newspaper, Maharaj indicated that one of the new markets the region is focusing its attention on is African countries. “There are great business opportunities in Africa for the Caribbean. A large percentage of the African population is young and interested in novelty,” he said. The agency plans to explore this market through a trade mission in June, which will be accompanied by a large delegation of entrepreneurs and trade promotion agencies from the Caribbean.