The Food for Progress Jamaica Spices (JaSPICE) Project

Global spice demand for use in food, seasonings, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals continues to grow. With their distinctive flavors and characteristics, Jamaican spices have been historically recognized as premium products. However, falling production volumes and rising prices are leading US spice buyers to source ginger, turmeric, and pimento from other countries at considerable cost savings. The sectors’ challenges, left unresolved over the years, have led to progressively decreasing production volumes, low productivity, and significantly high levels of unmet demand—for local and export produce and value-added products. Despite these challenges, strong commitment, collaboration, and investment are signs that Jamaica aims to regain its market share and reputation as a leading supplier of high-quality spices.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Jamaica Spices project (led by the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority and ACDI/VOCA) will capitalize on and build upon this commitment and investment to support Jamaica’s goal of revitalizing the spice sector to meet the existing export and domestic demand for turmeric, ginger, and pimento. Through our integrated market systems and ecosystem-based landscape approach, we will support 7,500 farmers and market systems actors, including financial and supporting service providers, to create a more diversified and vibrant spice sector.

For more information on the research coming out of the project, please read below: