Exporting Herbs and Spices to the EU and ACP Countries

Plenty of books!

Exporting Herbs and Spices to the EU and ACP countries

by

L.Denzil Phillips

Denzil Phillips International Ltd www.denzil.com info@denzil.com

Caribbean herbs and spices

• Aloe vera – Barbados Aloes gone to Mexico • Carapa Guianensis – Crabwood, Andiroba gone to Brazil and Columbia • Capsicum – Scotch Bonnet Peppers gone to Mexico and Central America • Cola Nitida – Jamaican Kola Nut – gone back to Africa • Columbrina aborenscens – Mauby gone to Venezuela • Croton eluthera – Cascarilla, Eluthera bark gone!! • Cymbopogon citratus – West Indian Lemongrass gone !!! • Erynigium foetida – Fitweed, chardon bene gone back to Africa • Hibiscus sabdariffa – Jamaican Sorrel gone to Africa • Lippia alba – Santa Maria, Catmint gone to USA • Maranta Arundaniciae– Arrowroot dying marlet!! • Myristica fragrans – Nutmeg and Mace gone to Asia • Pimento diocica – Jamaican Allspice gone to Mexico • Pimento Racemosa – West Indian Bay Leaf gone to Mexico!! • Quassia amara – Bitterwood gone to Brazil ( Surinam still there) • Smilax regelii – Sarsparilla, Jamaican Bayonet gone to Central America • Vetiver zizanoides – Vetitiver, Khus Khus grass gone to India • Zingiber Officinalis – Jamaican ginger gone to Nigeria and India

Why not to export bulk herbs & spices from Caribbean islands to EU Changing Market – changed cooking practises Land, Labour ,Water & Energy costs very high Supply almost always limited, although quality high Non tariff barriers higher –hermetically sealed Meeting Hygiene & safety standards gets tougher Protecting your I.P is v. expensive Assembly and transhipment cost to Europe high Local market profits generally always higher US and Latin American markets are huge & close

Changes in the industry

The value added market is right there

Caribbean sauces need spices & herbs Caribbean drinks need spices & herbs Caribbean snack food need spices & herbs Caribbean cosmetics need spices & herbs Caribbean perfumes need spices & herbs Caribbean herbal medicine need spices & herbs Caribbean wellness products herbs & spices Caribbean nutraceuticals need herbs & spices Caribbean tourism needs herbs and spices

What is needed to make it work

• Unique formulations • Excellent raw material quality • IP and Trade mark protection • Excellent branding and packaging • Research and development • Combine products and service • High value low volume products • Excellent support services • Well trained staff and management • Equity finance – cheap working capital

What Business Angels looks for from Caribbean invest partners (DPIL–London Business School proposal)

• Creative and original ideas • Culturally Identifiable Projects • High risk/high return • Hassle/bureaucratic free paperwork • Easy access in and out • Skilled professional entrepreneurs • Charming and courteous staff • Very attractive work environments • Fun projects

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Market revival and exotic foods

Just sauces!!

Value addition the only way forward

Branding is everything

Why a Nutmeg & Spice Festival?

• • To bring back some pride in nutmeg farming • To encourage people to replant and harvest

• To honour the spice farming sector as builders of the economy • To enhance the image of GCNA and its partner organisations • To encourage investment in value added nutmeg consumption • To encourage investment in spice related tourism products • To provide a platform where others can demonstrate their commitment to spices • To have an event that unites very disparate stakeholders • To educate children & youth in the economic and culture importance of spices • To close the gap between the “island of spices” promise and the reality • To inform tourist and tourism operators of the spice island products & services • To develop a range of merchandise product around the spice theme

What might evolve in the future

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An annual event involve all segments of society Grenada Nutmeg Pageant/Miss Nutmeg competition Grenada Nutmeg and Spice merchandise products Grenada Nutmeg and Spice cookery book Grenada Nutmeg and Spice Museum Grenada Spice research and development centre Grenada Nutmeg and Spice musical event International Nutmeg and Spice Gala awards

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Grenada Spice tourism trail

 Grenada Spice at the Caribbean Food Week, New York City  Grenada Nutmeg and Spice promotion stand New York, London, Koln,

Key Activities of proposed centre

• Quality assurance support ( GMP and GAP) • Laboratory analysis and product evaluation • Standards and standards development • Legal and regulatory advice ( FDA, EU, CARICOM)

• Product formulation and testing • Training ( in house and on the job) • Technology transfer • Pilot products manufacture • Technical evaluation and market testing • Sourcing of equipment and expertise • Bibliographic and library services

The Nutmeg Queen - Cecile de La Grenade- Governor General of Grenada

Miss Nutmeg

World trade is growing

Key producers and growth rates 1965-2005

Prices of different spices

Imports of Nutmeg – Latin America