Account holders will only be able to invest in company farming projects when they select this option.

How it work

Group Investment

Investor will be able to enter the market via group investment . what group investment does it gives like minded investors the opportunity to take advantage of the market. We Trade ltd will pool investors funds together and invest it in a ( active Pineapple farmer portfolio ) to increase productivity of Pineapple and profit returns. The group investment is mostly for small investors who wants to be apart of market but only can invest a small amount of there capital.

Standalone Investment

Is mostly for large Investors who wants to invest in the Pineapple sector. We trade ltd will provide the option for large investor's to invest in a ( specific Pineapple farmer portfolio ) which meet their investment goals and profits return.

Independent Farmers

Introduction

Pineapple production is an area with significant potential ranging from fresh fruit and organic pineapple to value added products including dried pineapple slices, wedges for toppings, tit bits, juice concentrates and other by-products that have attractive local and external markets. Improvement in production and productivity levels is paramount to the expansion of the value chain. Though these opportunities exist the industry has never been developed to compete on the world market. Currently, about four cultivars are grown in the island; Sugar loaf, Red Spanish, Ripley and to a lesser extent Smooth Cayenne. The smooth Cayenne is currently being reintroduced to Jamaica; as it is the variety most suited for commercial production. It consist of minimal spines, great flavor, produces in higher quantities, has a higher shelf life, as well as possessing the ideal shape for mechanical processing.

Production in Jamaica has been sold mainly on the local fresh fruit market. In 2013, total local production was 19,185,000 kg while import of processed pineapple (including juice concentrate) was 8,877,177kg valuing US$32,395,166. Pineapple can be produced all year round, but the bulk of harvest comes in between May and July each year. Approximately 77.9% of the annual pineapple production occurs over the six (6) month period from April to September. The MD2 which is suited for processing promises the answer to the issues with the traditional varieties.

APPROACH

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries is seeking to substitute at minimum 86% of imported pineapple juice concentrate in the near to medium term. This will require an additional 80 hectares to satisfy raw material supply to the concentrate production market. The Ministry is also seeking to increase the volume of fresh pineapple available for local consumption to facilitate year round supply to local consumers including the tourist industry.

OPPORTUNITIES

According to FAOSTAT 2016, in said year Jamaica produced 25,296 tonnes of Pineapples. This is a meagre 2.9% of the total quantity produced Mexico; who is currently one of the world’s top producers. To achieve the government’s objective of substituting 86% of imported pineapple juice concentrate consumed locally, and to achieve a year round supply of the fresh fruit, additional production is required. This presents a lucrative and significant investment opportunity. The pineapple industry also presents a viable opportunity for investors to engage in value added product development such as pineapple slices, chunks and tidbits to create niche markets and expand consumption.