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Home | Minister Green Urges Jamaicans to Tap into Ackee Export Opportunities
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (left), interacts with young people during the New Testament Church of God Kingdom Builders Business Expo 2026 in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, on Saturday (July 11).
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, is encouraging Jamaicans to get involved in ackee production and export, citing growing demand and significant market opportunities.
Speaking at the New Testament Church of God Kingdom Builders Business Expo held in Old Harbour, St. Catherine on Saturday (July 11), Minister Green said demand for ackee continues to increase, while supply remains insufficient to meet market needs.
"If you were to ask me right now what you should be doing, you should be reaching out to the Bodles Agricultural Research Station, the Forestry Department and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) to get ackee and breadfruit trees for planting," he said.
"If you have any underutilised land anywhere in the country, put it into ackee production," he added.
Minister Green said demand for ackee remains strong, noting that Stanmark Processors Company Limited, one of the country's largest ackee exporters, can earn as much as US$21 million annually, even in what the company considers a "rough" year. He added that the local tourism sector has also become a major market for canned ackee, creating additional opportunities for producers.
"It used to be that a lot of the canned ackee was exported. Now, however, much of it is being sold to our tourism sector, where buyers are paying the same price as the export market. There is tremendous opportunity out there," he pointed out.
The Minister noted that ackee trees are relatively low-maintenance, making them a suitable crop for first-time farmers.
"The beauty of ackee is that it is a low-maintenance crop. However, if you want to maximise profitability, it makes sense to maintain and prune the trees properly so that you can increase production," he said.
Minister Green said the Ministry will provide planting material and technical support to help interested persons establish production.
"Ackee, breadfruit, mangoes, if you have the land, we will provide the plants free of cost. All you have to do is come to us and tell us that you have the land. We will not only provide the plants, but we will also show you how to prepare the land and care for the plants so that you can maximise your return on investment," he said.
The Minister emphasised that agriculture remains a viable industry with significant opportunities for wealth creation. He also called for collaboration with churches under the Ministry's Fruit Tree Planting Programme to expand fruit-tree cultivation across communities.
