The Bahamas’ Top Thirty Crops

By Mr. Leslie Minns

For Bahamas Agricultural Producers Association (BAPA)

Product of Andros at the Agriculture Expo 2007

The Top 30 Crops

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^.

The other crops with a potential to become million dollar industries are:

Table 1^

Crop Rank Import Value

2006

Import Value

2007

Carrot 5 1,044,106 1,211,915

Sweet Pepper 7 1,664,900 1,574,848

Lemon 12 1,051,441 859,532

Orange 14 4,969,256 5,545,036

Plantain 15 1,834,556 1,785,831

Grapefruit 16 1,075,225 1,048,720

Lime (Persian & Key) 20 2,090,936 2,459,110

Watermelon 21 1,109,836 485,943

Corn 22 1,651,794 1,885,379

Banana 24 2,439,283 2,509,408

Cantaloupe 25 1,043,949 1,145,558

Broccoli 27 1,048,853 1,189,438

Of the top 30 crops identified, Cooking Thyme did not appear to have any imports; we

were unable to find any fresh or value-added products for 2006 and 2007. Another crop

which seemed not to have an import was Key Lime.

Sweet Corn in Abaco, Lenny Etienne

The remaining crops that have been identified as having the best potential to penetrate

the local market are:

Table 2

Crop Rank Import Value

2006

Import Value

2007

Cabbage 6 678,385 841,811

Sweet Potato 18 541,419 427,836

Celery 11 317,287 375,408

Cucumber 13 432,599 462,584

Mango 26 289,460 316,638

Cassava 28 253,050 275,398

Garlic 19 268,514 240,510

Papaya 23 155,269 171,233

Pigeon Peas ** 9 103,281 238,210

Hot Pepper 8 100,280 87,040

Goat Pepper 17 153,378 82,546

Okra 30 130,113 141,870

** Pigeon Peas: In 2006 we imported $33,456 worth of fresh peas and $69,825 worth of

prepared. In 2007 fresh was worth $183.00 and prepared was valued at $238,027.00.

All of the above crops show they have the potential to earn more than $100,000 per

annum with the exception of Pigeon Peas, although ranked high at #9. In this list of

twelve (12) crops only one is a tree, the remaining vegetables, condiments and tubers

have a history of being produced in this country^.

Fruit and Vegetable display at the Agriculture Expo 2009

Local Production

The Census of Agriculture in 1978 recorded 20 crops grown in the country at that time,

by 1994 that number had increased by 68 to 88 crops an increase of 340%. The Crop

profile in 2006/07 lists 108 crops, an increase of 20 crops or 22.7%. Table #3 gives a

breakdown by crop category for these selected years.

Table #3: Crops by Category for Selected Years

Category 1978 1994 Change 2006 Change

Legumes 2 8 +6 6 -2

Vegetable 5 22 +17 24 +2

Condiments 2 9 +7 20 +11

Soft Fruit 1 6 +5 6 nil

Cereal 1 4 +3 5 +1

Tubers 2 7 +5 6 -1

Tree Crops 7 32 +25 39 +7

Others nil nil nil 2 +2

Total 20 88 68 108 20

% Change 340% 22.7%

Source: Department of Agriculture, selected years, compiled by Mr. Leslie Minns

(Senior Marketing Officer, Agricultural Economist)

The Bahamian farmers have become more diverse, they have become more

knowledgeable and are willing to grow and cultivate more varieties of agricultural

crops.

Preschoolers visit Screen house at GRAC Tomatoes at Lucayan Tropical

In 1978 we reported for legumes, pigeon

peas and bean, the number of legumes

has increase by four, Kidney bean, Lima

bean, Cow peas and peanut.

Vegetables grown in 1978 included

cabbage, cucumber, pumpkin, sweet

pepper and tomato for a total of five. In

1994 we reported growing 17 more

varieties and by 2006 that number

increased by 2. Therefore between 1978

and 2006 the numbers of vegetables

grown in the Bahamas increased by 19

bring it to a compliment of 24 varieties

(see the crop profile).

Condiments the 1978 census reported

two condiments onion and hot pepper

the Bahamas now (2006) grows a total of

20 condiments, 18 more (see the crop

profile).

Soft fruit in 1978 we reported growing

just one watermelon, since 1994 we have

added cantaloupe, honeydew, papaya,

pineapple and strawberry, five more.

Cereal in 1978 corn was the only cereal

captured by the census since then

Alfalfa, benny, guinea corn and

sorghum have been reported.

There were two tubers in 1978 dasheen

and Irish potatoes, since then cassava,

eddoes, sweet potato and yam have

been reported.

Tree crops in 1978 the census captured 7

tree crops avocado, banana, grapefruit,

key lime, mango, orange and plantain.

By 2006 that number has increased by 32

more varieties (see the crop profile).

Source: Agriculture Census 1978/1994,

Department of Agriculture

Vegetable Display at Agriculture Expo 2009

Crop Production

While the number of crops in 1978 was only 20, the quantity of crop produced could not

be matched in 1994, 2004 nor 2006. In 1978 the Bahamas produced 103,386,742 (lbs.)

pounds of agricultural produce from 20 crops. While in 1994 the country produced

76,203,051 lbs. from 88 crops, the Farmers register of 943 farmers in 2006 recorded 108

crops producing 57,079,926 lbs.

The table below records production quantities for four (4) selected years 1978, 1994,

2004 and 2006, the significance of these years are: 1978 & 1994 were census years, 2004

represents the last crop report before the Farmers register and 2006 represents the crop

estimate for the first year using the farmers register. The top 20 crop by selected years is

as follows:

Table # 4: Top Twenty (20) Crops for Selected Years (1978, 1994, 2004 & 2006).

1978 1994 2004 2006

Avocado Avocado Avocado Avocado

Banana Banana Banana Banana

Bean Cabbage Broccoli Cabbage

Cabbage Cantaloupe Cabbage Cassava

Cassava Cassava Grapefruit Coconut

Corn Coconut Lemon Grapefruit

Cucumber Corn Lettuce Persian Lime

Grapefruit Cucumber Persian Lime Mango

Irish Potato Grapefruit Mango Neem

Key Lime Irish Potato Onion Orange

Mango Lemon Orange Hot Pepper

Onion Lettuce Goat Pepper Pineapple

Orange Persian Lime Pumpkin Plantain

Hot Pepper Mango Sugar Cane Pumpkin

Pigeon Peas Onion Sweet Pepper Scarlet Plum

Plantain Orange Sweet Potato Sour Orange

Pumpkin Pumpkin Tangelo Sweet Pepper

Sweet Pepper Sweet Pepper Tangerine Sweet Potato

Tomato Sweet Potato Tomato Tomato

Watermelon Tomato Watermelon Watermelon

Watermelon

Source: Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Census and selected years compiled by

Mr. Leslie Minns (Senior Marketing Officer, Agricultural Economist)

From these four lists the crops that appear in each are:

1. Avocado 2. Banana

3. Cabbage 4. Grapefruit

5. Mango 6. Orange

7. Pumpkin 8. Sweet Pepper

9. Tomato 10. Watermelon

The crops that appear in 3 of these lists:

1. Onion 2. Cassava

Over the past five years the Produce Exchange has played less of a role in marketing

Agricultural Produce, for these years their budget was B$1.7 million dollars. Their

budget is now (2008 – 2009) B$ 1.525 million dollars.

In 2003 the Packing Houses purchased a quantity of 4,350,037 lbs. of produce valued at

B$1.634 million dollars that was the highest volume of produce purchases for the five

year period. In 2005 they purchased the least volume of 1,950,007 lbs. valued at B$ 0.993

million dollars. The remainder of produce is sold through formal marketing channels,

by direct shipments, used, stolen or given away.

Formal marketing channel are farmers who either sell to wholesalers themselves or

market through a middleman for example F & V sales Abaco.

Direct Shipment farmers bring their produce on the mailboat to Potter’s Cay sell from

the boat or hire a truck to take them around.

From the census of agriculture 1994 used, stolen and given away were categories used

to record crop production.

Source: Packing House purchases, Department of Agriculture, compiled by Mr. Leslie

Minns (Senior Marketing Officer, Agricultural Economist)

The Food Bill

The food bill, how can we reduce it? But more importantly, how much is it? There is

much speculation on the value of the food bill, we have heard thru the print media,

radio and television that our food bill is estimated to be around B$ 500 million dollars.

A quick look at the Import Trade Statistics published by the Department of Statistics^

that the value of Imported Agricultural products is around B$ 467 million. This figure is

derived by adding the totals of Sections 1 thru 4:

Table #5: Section (2007)

1. Live Animals Animal Products 128,486,134

2. Vegetable products 93,128,916

3. Animal or Vegetable, etc. 9,461,750

4. Prepared Food Stuffs 235,567,787

Total 466,644,587

However included in these numbers are fish, plants and tobacco (non-food items), but

to us these are agricultural products less fish, have a potential to not only be produced

in this country, but reduce this total as well.

From the above table, the import of Vegetable products (Section 2) we see that from

1997-2007 the import of these products has risen from 50,704,177 (1997) to 93,128,916

(2007). An increase of 42,424,739 over ten years, that is an average of $42.4 million per

year. In 2006 we imported 81,054,514, therefore 2007 increased by 12.07 million or by

14.89%. The largest increased in imported vegetable occurred in 2000 when we

imported 72,986,313 worth of vegetable, however the year before 1999 we imported

59,021,594 worth an increase of $13.96 million or 23.6%^.

Therefore the Value of Fish, Food and Agricultural Products for the Bahamas in 2007 we

estimate to be B$578.152 million dollars Table #6.

Lettuce being grown at Lucayan Tropical Micro-greens being grown at Goodfellow Farms

Pineapple Fields in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera Mango at Carey’s Farm

Conchy Joe’s Hot Sauce Goats on Long Island

Cabbage in Andros Pigs in Grand Bahama

Table #6: Value of Fish, Food and Agricultural Products

Value of Fish, Food and Agricultural Products

Section 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2006 2007

Imports

1 37.68 85.162 85.946 94.06 111.259 128.48 139.14

2 50.7 59.021 66.061 65.332 81.054 93.13 102.86

3 5.955 6.037 5.584 7.054 8.66 9.46 10.67

4 149.43 176.139 188.604 195.531 214.963 235.56 250.25

Total 273.765 326.359 346.195 361.977 415.936 466.63 502.92

Imports

Agriculture

Fisheries

Total

1997 273.765 55.576 14.08 343.421

1999 326.359 46.348 12.359 385.066

2001 346.195 62.158 10.643 418.996

2003 361.977 47.959 1.787 420.723

2005 415.936 71.607 7.102 494.645

2007 502.920 72.013 3.219 578.152

Sources: Department of Statistics, Department of Agriculture and Department of

Fisheries

So what is the food bill from where we sit the food bill is the value of all food

consumed, be it imported or produced locally. However we are interested in reducing

the import of food. Therefore the Food Bill is the value of Food Imported: the value of

imported food in 2007 was B$401,483,139 dollars^.

CROPS IDENTIFIED COMPARED TO

OTHER RECOMMENDATIOS.

In the previous chapter we saw the 30

Identified Crops the value of the fresh

product imported and the value of by

products imported. In 2008 and 2009

there were two studies done on crops to

identify those which had potential to

penetrate the local market.

The first was the Rapid Assessment in

that study there were four vegetables,

two fruit, two condiments and citrus.

The Citrus identified were orange and

tangerine, lime was also mentioned but

there was no distinction made whether

it was Key or Persian. Other Bahamian

Citrus not mentioned but that we felt

should have been were lemon,

grapefruit, tangelo and sour orange.

The second study/recommendations

were identified at the National

Economic Summit and that group of

Bahamian Professionals came up with

30 crops also. Both the Rapid

Assessment of Farming Practices and

the National Economic Summit were

compared to the 30 crops identified by

this survey.

Rapid Assessment of Farming Practices

Therefore for this component of the

program we will focus on Crops, (Page 10

of the Rapid Assessment) identified these

crops as the top 10, Tomatoes, Watermelon,

Sweet Pepper, Banana, Onion, Hot pepper,

Pumpkin, Cabbage, Limes and Citrus (a

grouping including Oranges, Tangerine,

Grapefruit, Sour Orange, Tangelo, Key

Lime and Persian Lime). The identification

of these crops would give us compliment of

15 crops later in this paper we will examine

these crops versus those of the survey.

The 30 crops identified by this survey

when compared to the Rapid

Assessment revealed the following

(Table #7)

From our understanding of the RA we

identified fifteen crops eleven (11) or

73% could be, found in the 30 crops

identified. Those not found and their

rank, were pumpkin #35, tangerine #42,

tangelo #57 and sour orange #55.

Seven of those eleven were listed in the 30 identified crops which were considered as

having potential to be million dollar industries.

Table #7:

Onion #1 Tomato #4 Sweet Pepper #7

Orange #14 Lime #20 Watermelon #21

Banana #24

Onion shed in Abaco

1. Cabbage #6 has a potential to earn over six hundred thousand per annum.

2. Lemon #12 and grapefruit #16 have a potential to earn over three hundred thousand

per annum.

3. Tangerine #42 is worth between $150,000 to over $200,000 per annum. This crop has

the potential to be considered in the top 30.

4. Pumpkin and Tangelo fell below fifty thousand dollars per annum.

5. Hot pepper the remaining crop shows a potential of between eighty thousand to one

hundred thousand dollars per annum.

All fifteen crops can be grown successfully in the Bahamas. The RA listed it TOP 10

PRODUCE, citrus was listed as one but showed two types of citrus orange and

tangerine. Another citrus lime was listed therefore in order to complete the citrus family

we added lemon, grapefruit, tangelo and sour orange. Of these fifteen crops pumpkin,

tangelo and sour orange may be considered the least valuable all remaining crops (all

12) show potential to penetrate the Bahamian Market.

CROPS RECOMMENDED BY THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC SUMMIT (NES)

NES recommended 30 crops of those twenty one (21) were identified in the top 30 of

this survey eight (8) were not. (Table #8)

Table #8: NES crops in the Top 30 Identified

Broccoli #27 Cabbage #6 Carrot #5

Cassava #28 Celery #11 Corn #22

Cucumber #13 Garlic #19 Lettuce #3

Okra #30 Onion #1 Peas #9 **

Hot Pepper #8 Potato # 2 or 18 Tomato #4

Banana #4 Grapefruit #16 Lime #20

Orange #14 Plantain #15 Watermelon #21

Fruits and Vegetables at the Farmer’s Market, Blake Road

NES crops not in the Top 30 Identified

Asparagus #60 Bean #45, 64, 91 Mushroom (no rank)

Spinach #48 Avocado #32 Grape (no rank)

Honeydew Melon #34 Strawberry #36 Tangerine #42

Therefore of the twenty one crops recommended by NES twelve (12) have the potential

to be million dollar industries:

Carrot Corn

Lettuce Onion

Potatoes Tomatoes

Banana Grape

Lime Orange

Plantain Strawberry

While corn is included on this list its potential lies in the frozen and prepared or

preserved market. Prepared or preserved are mostly in the form of cans. The variety of

corn is sweet corn, in 2006 the Bahamas imported B$170,311 worth of fresh sweet corn

and in 2007 imports were worth B$218,881. Frozen sweet corn in 2006 and 2007

respectively had a value of B$698,863 and B$686,602. Imported canned (prepared or

preserved) corn in 2006 had a value of B$782,620 and in 2007 was worth B$979,896, for a

total value in 2006 of B$1,651,794 and in 2007 B$1,885,389.

Lettuce imports for 2006 was worth approximately B$3.5 million all fresh lettuce,

cabbage lettuce or head lettuce, romaine and other. By 2007 we imported almost B$4.0

million dollars worth of lettuce.

Grape another crop recommended by NES while we have a potential to produce it does

not appear on our crop profile.

The NES listed Potato in its recommendations however what type are the referring to

Irish or Sweet*. Irish potato fresh and frozen has a potential to generate B$10.0 million

dollars annually, sweet potato on the other hand is worth half a million dollars.

Watermelon shows it has potential to be a million dollar industry however in 2007

watermelon imports fell by more than half a million dollars, from B$1,109836 in 2006 to

B$485,943 in 2007^.

The reasons for this decline are still unknown as Packing House purchases for this

period reflected the same trend. If local production increased we will be able to

determine that once all figures are in from the farmers register. From the survey we

learnt that the watermelon in demand is the seedless variety.

Local Seeded Watermelon Variety

Of the remaining 18 crops three have an import value of over B$800,000 per annum they

are:

Broccoli (895K) Cabbage (842K) Mushrooms (821K)

Broccoli and cabbage are grown successfully in the Bahamas however mushrooms do

not appear in our crop profile.

Other crops with relatively high import values or over B$200,000:

Watermelon (486K) Asparagus (458K)

Honeydew Melon (473K) Sweet Potato (428K)

Grapefruit (378K) Celery (375K)

Cassava (275K)

Garlic (240K) Avocado (260K)

Tangerine (222K) Spinach (230K)

PEAS & BEAN**

That would leave four (4) four crops

peas, beans, okra and hot pepper. Both

hot pepper and okra have a potential to

earn under, one hundred thousand

dollars. Peas and beans are a little more

complicated because of the varieties and

the value-added products of these

varieties. However, combined they have

a potential to earn over one million

dollars annually. (Table #8)

Peas is imported into this country in

four varieties sweet peas, pigeon peas

(Cajunus Cajun), black eyed peas and

cowpeas. Pigeon peas come in four

forms fresh, frozen, preserved and dried

and had a total value of only B$53,844

for 2007.

Sweet pea may be imported fresh,

frozen and dried and was worth more

than Pigeon Peas by more than a quarter

of a million dollars, the total import

value for all types of sweet pea was

B$322, 085.

Black eye peas are imported fresh and

dry but in 2007 was only worth b$13,

198.

Cow peas is imported fresh only and in

2007 total imports was worth B$118.

Kidney Beans

Total import value for all peas in 2007

was B$389,245, the value in 2006 was

B$389,476.

The Harmonized System Code 7133990

is labeled Peas or bean dried, however

these are believed to be Pigeon Peas as

the code 7139010 does not reflect the

amount of Pigeon Peas imported into

the country by local canners (Albury’s

and Sawyer’s).The imported quantity

and value for HS 7133990 was 401,556

pounds and worth B$188,904 or B$0.47

per pound.

There were three types or varieties of

bean, Lima, Kidney and others and they

had a combined import value of B$701,

085. Other being the most valuable,

value at B$456,650 and is imported

fresh, frozen and dried. Lima beans

were the next valuable with an import

value of B$221,194, its forms of

importation are fresh, preserved and

dried. Kidney beans are imported fresh

and in 2007 was worth B$23,241.

The total imported value for peas and

bean in 2006 was B$1,151,334 and in

2007 they were worth B$1,279,234^.

Of this list of 30 crops identified by NES

two had no rank as they did not appear

on the Crop Profile, all others are grown

in the Bahamas and included on our

Crop Profile.

Based on the survey done for this report (January-February 2009) on the top thirty

crops, the following is a list of crops that buyers are interested in purchasing:

Onion Tomato Lettuce Sweet Pepper Cabbage

Okra Celery Cucumber Pumpkin Carrot

Green Corn Cassava Sweet Potato Goat Pepper Pigeon Peas

Parsley Rosemary Citrus Melons (water,

seedless, honey

dew)

Papaya

Pineapple Sugar Apple Cantaloupe Coconut (grated)

Sugar Cane

The livestock agricultural products that are estimated to offer the best market

penetration potential are beef, mutton, pork, chevon and honey.

Buy Bahamian!

Acknowledgements: see full report

References:

1) Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Statistics, Mr. Leslie Minns, Senior

Marketing Officer

2) Department of Fisheries, Fisheries Statistics, Mr. Greg Burrows

3) National Economic Summit, March 2009

4) Rapid Assessment of Farming Practices, Production Facilities and Marketing

Operations – Miss LaMonica Glinton (May 2008), BAPA

5) The Census of Agriculture: 1978, 1994 (Department of Agriculture)

6) ^ Department of Statistics, Commonwealth of the Bahamas Annual Foreign

Trade Statistics Report 2007

Key:

B$ - Bahamian dollars

K=thousands of Bahamian dollars

The 2006 Bahamas Crop Profile:

1 Ackee 28 Coconut 55 Marjoram 82 Rosemary

2 Alfalfa 29 Collard Greens 56 Mammy 83 Sapodilla

3 Aloe 30 Corn 57 Mango 84 Scarlet Plum

4 Arugula 31 Cow Peas 58 Mint 85 Sea Grape

5 Asparagus 32 Cucumber 59 Mulberry 86 Sorghum

6 Avocado 33 Dasheen 60 Neem 87 Sour Orange

7 Banana 34 Dates 61 Noni 88 Sour Sop

8 Basil 35 Dill 62 Okra 89 Spinach

9 Bean, Kidney 36 Eddoes 63 Onion 90 Squash

10 Bean, Lima 37 Eggplant 64 Orange 91 Star Apple

11 Bean, Other 38 Garlic 65 Oregano 92 Strawberry

12 Beets 39 Gooseberry 66 Papaya 93 String Bean

13 Benny 40 Grapefruit 67 Parsley 94 Sugar Apple

14 Bok Choy 41 Guava 68 Passion Fruit 95 Sugar Cane

15 Breadfruit 42 Guinea Corn 69 Peanut 96 Sweet Pepper

16 Broccoli 43 Guinep 70 Pepper, Chili 97 Sweet Potato

17 Cabbage 44 Hog Plum 71 Pepper,Chr.

Red

98 Swiss Chard

18 Cantaloupe 45 Honey Dew 72 Pepper, Goat 99 Tamarind

19 Carambola 46 Irish Potato 73 Pepper, Hot 100 Tangelo

20 Carrot 47 Jou-Jou 74 Pepper,

Jalapeño

101 Tangerine

21 Cassava 48 Kale 75 Pepper, Salad 102 Thyme

22 Cauliflower 49 Lemon 76 Pigeon Peas 103 Tomato

23 Celery 50 Lemon Grass 77 Pineapple 104 Vanilla

24 Cherry 51 Lettuce 78 Plantain 105 Watercress

25 Chive 52 Lime, Key 79 Plum – June 106 Watermelon

26 Cigar/Tobacco 53 Lime, Persian 80 Pomegranate 107 Yam

27 Cilantro 54 Lychee 81 Pumpkin 108 Zucchini Source: The Department of Agriculture

Avocado Fact Sheet

Common name: Avocado

Scientific name: Persea americana Mill.

Propagation: Fresh avocado seeds sprout in

4 to 6 weeks.

Cultivation: Does not tolerate flood

conditions.

Plant type: Medium-sized or large tree

(usually up to 30 ft, but could be 60 ft or

more.

Time to maturity: Trees produced from

seeds bear in 5-6 years, while grafted

varieties bear fruit earlier, in 3-4 years.

When to harvest: Avocado does not ripen

while still on the tree, but must be picked

when full grown and mature.

Season: Bears from May to March,

depending upon variety.

Health Benefits:

Varieties: Lula Monroe, Hall, Simmonds,

Pollock (early)

Source: FACT SHEET ON LOCAL FRUIT

TREES, GRAC (various resources)

Source: Dept. of Agriculture 2006 Crop

Estimates by Island

Prepared by the IICA Bahamas Office 2009

Avocado Value in $

San Salvador

Mayaguana

Acklins

Andros

Abaco

Cat Island

New Providence

Eleuthera

Grand Bahama

Long Island

All Bahamas

Mango Fact Sheet

Common name: Mango

Scientific name: Mangifera indica L

Propagation: Usually grafted on

rootstock, but germinates readily from

fresh, fully matured seeds.

Cultivation: Plant tree in sunny

location. Irrigate and fertilize for first 4-

5 years of life.

Plant type: Large tree.

Time to maturity: Grafted trees can

produce fruit within 2 years. Mangoes

reach maturity about 5 months after

flowering.

When to harvest: When ready for

harvesting, the fruit will break free from

the stem at the slightest tug.

Season: Fruiting season from May to

January, depending upon the variety.

Health Benefits: control blood pressure,

promote the normal clotting of blood,

help heal wounds and support the

bodies’ immune system.

Varieties: Haden, Kent, Palmer, Carrie,

Smith

Source: FACT SHEET ON LOCAL FRUIT

TREES, GRAC (various resources)

Source: Dept. of Agriculture 2006 Crop

Estimates by Island

Prepared by the IICA Bahamas Office 2009

Mango Value in $

San Salvador

Mayaguana

Acklins

Andros

Abaco

Cat Island

New Providence

Eleuthera

Grand Bahama

Long Island

All Bahamas

Guava Fact Sheet

Common name: Guava

Scientific name: Psidium guajava L.

Propagation: Seeds germinate in 3 to 6 weeks

Cultivation: Drought tolerant, tolerates poor

growing conditions, prefers full sunlight. Trees

will flourish with little care, but respond to

fertilisers.

Plant type: Small tree with spreading branches

Time to maturity: Trees bear first fruit 2 years

after transplanting. Fruit matures 5 months after

flowering.

When to harvest: Fruit flavour is best when

allowed to ripen on the tree.

Season: Bears throughout the year, but heaviest

during summer months.

Health benefits: Supports immune systems,

lowers cholesterol, controls blood pressure and

maintains healthy bones.

Varieties: Beaumont Red, Mexican Cream, Pear,

Red Indian, Red Malaysian, Ruby, South

African, White Indian

Source: FACT SHEET ON LOCAL FRUIT

TREES, GRAC (various resources)

Source: Dept. of Agriculture 2006 Crop

Estimates by Island

Prepared by the IICA Bahamas Office 2009

Guava Value in $

San Salvador

Mayaguana

Acklins

Andros

Abaco

Cat Island

New ProvidenceEleuthera

Grand Bahama

Long Island

All Bahamas

Sapodilla Fact Sheet

Common name: Sapodilla

Scientific name: Manilkara zapota van

Royen

Propagation: Seeds germinate readily,

but are slow growing. The plants can

also be grafted or air layered.

Cultivation: Requires full sunlight and

is tolerant of drought and saline

conditions.

Plant type: Large tree (60ft)

Time to maturity: Trees take 5 to 8 years

to bear. Fruiting occurs 4-6 months after

flowering.

When to harvest: Fruit mature over a 5-

month period. Pick when stem breaks

easily.

Season: Produces fruit throughout most

of the year, depending upon variety.

Main production occurs from May to

September. Source: FACT SHEET ON LOCAL FRUIT

TREES, GRAC (various resources)

Health Benefits: This food is low in

Saturated Fat, and very low in

Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a very

good source of Dietary Fiber and

Vitamin C. Source:

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/fruits-and-

fruit-juices/2061/2

Varieties:

Addley, Adelaide, Badam, Baramasi,

Big Pine Key, Black, Brown Sugar

Source: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedi

ngs1996/V3-439.html#CULTIVARS

Source: Dept. of Agriculture 2006 Crop

Estimates by Island

Prepared by the IICA Bahamas Office 2009

Sapodilla Value in $

San Salvador

Mayaguana

Acklins

Andros

Abaco

Cat Island

New Providence

Eleuthera

Grand Bahama

Long Island

All Bahamas

Coconut Fact Sheet

Common name: Coconut

Scientific name: Cocos nucifera

Propagation: Seeds germinate in 4-6

months

Cultivation: Propagate using seeds

from fully matured nuts. The coconut

palm is well adapted to sandy soils and

saline conditions. It resists strong winds

and often withstands hurricanes.

Plant type: Palm tree, ranging from

dwarf types (5-6 ft) to tall trees reaching

90 ft in height.

Time to maturity: Trees begin to fruit in

about 5 years. Fruit set to maturity is 8-

10 months.

When to harvest: Mature fruit may be

picked for its juice and soft flesh when

husk is still green, or dried and brown

for its meat (copra).

Season: Produces all year round

Source: FACT SHEET ON LOCAL FRUIT

TREES, GRAC (various resources)

Health Benefits:

The good: This food is very low in Cholesterol

and Sodium. It is also a very good source of

Manganese.

The bad: This food is very high in Saturated Fat.

Source:http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/nut-

and-seed-products/3106/2

Varieties: Green Malayan, Golden

Malayan, Fiji Dwarf, Jamaica Tall

Source: Dept. of Agriculture 2006 Crop

Estimates by Island

Prepared by the IICA Bahamas Office 2009

Coconut Value in $

San Salvador

Mayaguana

Acklins

Andros

Abaco

Cat Island

New Providence

Eleuthera

Grand Bahama

Long Island

All Bahamas