Trade Winds Citrus Limited (TWCL), Jamaica's leading citrus producer, is facing production challenges due to pests, diseases, and shrinking farmland, particularly affecting orange yields. The citrus greening disease, known as citrus huanglongbing (HLB), has been a major factor in reducing the economic viability of citrus farming in Jamaica and the Americas. Detected in Jamaica around 2009, HLB has significantly impacted young citrus trees, leading to a drastic reduction in fruit production and the loss of approximately 100 million trees globally over the past decade, as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Peter McConnell, Managing Director of TWCL, highlighted the severe drop in production from 650,000 field boxes in 2008 to 100,000 currently, mirroring the national decline to 15-20% of previous levels. The high costs associated with combating HLB, including substantial investments in irrigation, have made citrus farming less accessible for low-input farmers. McConnell noted that despite the challenges, TWCL has been actively replanting since 2017, though the pace is slowed by the high establishment costs and risks such as pest infestations, climate change, and theft.
McConnell also pointed out the seasonal imbalance in supply and demand, with limited produce availability outside the traditional cropping period from November to June, leading to higher prices for oranges. The reduction in TWCL's citrus acreage from 2,850 acres in 2012 to 1,050 acres underscores the impact of disease and other challenges on production.
As the chairman of the Jamaica Citrus Protection Agency (JCPA), McConnell is advocating for more government support in monitoring and supervising nurseries to ensure the production of disease-free plants. He also seeks additional technical support and financial assistance through partnerships with international agencies like the FAO and local entities such as the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ). Furthermore, McConnell is calling for the removal of restrictions on farmers' access to underground water to facilitate increased citrus planting through irrigation, essential for consistent and profitable production amidst climate change.
TWCL, occupying 3,200 acres in Bog Walk, St Catherine, remains a major player in the local juice market through its Tru-Juice brand and other product lines, while also engaging in pineapple, sugar cane, and dairy production.
Source: Jamaica Observer