When we speak of imports it is
important to understand that crops are
imported primarily as fresh, however
the fresh crop is a primary product. As
the primary product or the raw
material, that crop it must be
understood maybe converted from a
raw material to a value-added product.
This project seeks to understand and
identify those crops that offer the best
potential to penetrate the Bahamian
market. What we would like to show is
the full potential for these crops. Firstly
there is the fresh product and secondly
the value-added products that may
come from the fresh product. Some
examples of value-added products from
fresh fruit & vegetables are: frozen,
preserved/ dried, canned (whole or
pieces), juice, paste, puree, marmalade,
jams, and jellies.
In 2006 the total import value of these 30
crops (as a fresh product) was estimated
to be worth B$31,201,006 dollars. By
2007 the import value for these had
increased by B$700,126 dollars an
increase of 2.2% to B$31,901,132 dollars.
The value-added products for the same
crops in 2006 was worth B$12,665,199
dollars, by 2007 this value increased by
B$1,862,949 dollars or 14.71% to
B$14,528,148 dollars.
Therefore in 2006 these 30 crops, fresh
and value-added products had an
estimated import value of B$43,866,205
dollars. The total value in 2007 for these
same fresh and value-added products
had an estimated value of B$46,429,280
dollars an increase of B$2,563,075
dollars or 5.8%^.
This therefore means if the Bahamas
were to grow, all, the fresh product for
these 30 crops we would stand to earn
as much as B$31.5 - B$31.9 million
dollars per annum. Another B$12.7 -
B$14.5 million dollars could be realized
from their value-added products.
Therefore between B$43.86 - B$46.43
million dollars could be injected into the
Bahamian economy. This earning would
translate into a savings on our import
bill thus lowering our Food Bill and
increasing our foreign exchange
reserves.
The savings/earning from these crops
may lead to investments into the other
78 crops, thus saving or retaining even
more of our money. With more money
in the economy we would be able to
build agricultural industries, to increase
employment, increase wealth and
decrease dependence on imports. With
each passing year all countries not just
the Bahamas will experience a growing
population, Agricultural Land
shrinkage and water shortages. By the
year 2050 it is estimated that the world
population will increase by three (3)
billion people.The Bahamas must begin to produce,
now, if we are to have a chance of
feeding ourselves or if we simply want
to make money. Conditions for
Agriculture are ideal in the Bahamas,
we have sunshine 365 days a year, we
have a relatively small population, we
enjoy close to five million visitors per
year, we have knowledgeable farmers,
and we have knowledgeable buyers
who are experts in supplying the
demand for this market. Our buyers
understand agriculture and know
quality. The Bahamas is blessed with
more land than Jamaica, and although
our land is not as fertile, it's better than
Israel. Israel must produce from deserts
and pump water from miles below the
ground. No such problem in the
Bahamas although we lack rivers, we
have a relatively high water table.
While in the Bahamas we do not have
much arable land, we do have some, it is
also possible to improve our soils and if
that fails we may also look to green
houses and hydro phonics. Today's
agricultural technology is opening new
doors for agricultural production.
The time is ripe for growers and buyers
to work as partners, growers produce,
buyers distribute, the money they earn
and save can only benefit the Bahamas.
We must cease our dependence on
imported food, as the cost of that food
will only continue to go up. Of the 30
crops identified sixteen (16) more than
half, have a potential to be million dollar
industries.
Onion, the #1 ranked crop, saw the
value of imports increase over half a
million dollars from 2006 (B$2,303,714)
to 2007 (B$2,852,197). During that
period both quantity and value
increased, in 2007 we imported
5,262,948 (lbs.) pounds while in 2006 we
imported 4,585,969 lbs. The price from
2006 to 2007 also increased by two (2)
cents per pound.
Irish potatoes, the #2 ranked crop, has a
potential to earn $3.4 million dollars
annually as a fresh product and up to
B$7.0 million dollars as a frozen or
prepared product, making it the crop
with the greatest potential, over ten
million dollars per annum.
In 2007, the Bahamas imported almost
$4.0 million dollars worth of Lettuce,
while in 2006 we imported $3.5 million
all in its fresh form. Types of lettuce
imported include: iceberg, romaine and
head.
Tomato, a favourite, was one of a few
crops where the import value decreased;
this is attributed to the success of
tomato production in green houses. In
2006 the value of tomato imports was
B$2,962,731 by 2007 it decreased by
$598,774 or 20.2% to B$2,365,957. The
value of imported by products of
tomato increased B$82,059 or 6.1% from
B$1,341,295 in 2006 to B$1,423,354 in
2007^.
Corn, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Most Citrus Fruits, Cucumbers, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Bananas, Mangoes, Avocados, Plums, Guavas, Coconuts, Plantains, Pineapples, and many others.
The two main types of crops are citrus and
vegetables
Fruits which are grown in The Bahamas are avocado, banana, coconut, grapefruit, Persian lime, mango, orange, pineapple, scarlet plum and sour orange (2006 data).
pies and fruits,dirt
they eat bananas that much i know
guava Beans wit jumbalia and kumkwats
it is the guava
The Bahamas has no national hero there are national heros that do sertain contributions for The Bahamas.
Bernard Nottage is the Minister of National Security for the Bahamas.
BAHAMAS
National Development Party - Bahamas - was created in 2008.
National Art Gallery of The Bahamas was created in 2003.
the turtle is the national animal of the Bahamas
Fruit land.
The national flower of The Bahamas is the yellow elder
The national animals of the Bahamas are the marlin and the flamingo.
Panama does not have a national fruit.
Australia does not have a national fruit.