![](media/image1.jpeg){width="0.5520833333333334in"
height="0.6131944444444445in"}**British
Territories**![](media/image1.jpeg){width="0.5520833333333334in"
height="0.6131944444444445in"}

 

*Export Guide to the Consumer Food Market*

September 1997

Prepared for the U.S. Department of Agriculture

by Fintrac Inc.

 

This guide is one of ten individual guides available (not including a
summary guide), covering the following countries and territories: Aruba
and Curacao; the Bahamas; Barbados; British Territories, comprising
Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks
and Caicos; the Dominican Republic; Guadeloupe and Martinique; Haiti;
Jamaica; and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, comprising
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts-Nevis, and St. Vincent
and the Grenadines.

For more information, contact USDA/FAS offices in the Dominican Republic
and Miami:

  -------------- ------------ ------ ------ --------------------------------------------
  Kevin Smith,                              
  Agricultural                              
  Counselor                                 

                 (*for the                  
                 Dominican                  
                 Republic,                  
                 Jamaica, and               
                 Haiti*)                    

                                            

                 Mailing                    American Embassy
                 Address:                   

                                            Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (FAS)

                                            Unit 5530

                                            APO AA 34041

                 Other                      Leopoldo Navarro #1
                 Mailing                    
                 Address:                   

                                            Apt. 4

                                            Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

                 Tel:                       809-688-8090

                 Fax:                       809-685-4743

                 e-mail:                    AgSantoDomingo@fas.usda.gov
  -------------- ------------ ------ ------ --------------------------------------------

.

  ---------- ----------- ------ ------ --------------------- ------------------------------
  Margie                                                     
  Bauer,                                                     
  Director                                                   

             (*for all                                       
             other                                           
             countries                                       
             covered by                                      
             these                                           
             guides*)                                        

                                                             

             Mailing                   Caribbean Basin       
             Address:                  Agricultural Trade    
                                       Office                

                                       USDA/FAS              

                                       909 SE 1^st^ Avenue,  
                                       Suite 720             

                                       Miami, FL 33131       

             Tel:                      305-536-5300          

             Fax:                      305-536-7577          

             e-mail:                   cbato@attglobal.net    
  ---------- ----------- ------ ------ --------------------- ------------------------------

.

  --------------- ----- -------------------------------------------------------
  **List of             
  Abbreviations         
  Used**                

                        

  BVI                   British Virgin Islands

  CARICOM               Caribbean Community (comprised of Antigua & Barbuda,
                        the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada,
                        Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis,
                        St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname,
                        Trinidad & Tobago). The Bahamas is not a member of the
                        common market.

  CET                   Common External Tariff (applied by CARICOM)

  CIF                   Cost, Insurance, Freight

  DR                    Dominican Republic

  EU                    European Union (comprised of Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
                        Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy,
                        Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
                        the United Kingdom)

  FAS                   Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA)

  FOB                   Freight on Board

  GATT                  General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

  HRI                   Hotel, Restaurant, Institutional

  HS                    Harmonized System (product classification system for
                        customs tariffs)

  ICI                   Informal Commercial Importer

  KG                    Kilograms

  KM                    Kilometers

  MT                    Metric tons

  NA                    Netherlands Antilles

  NES                   Not Elsewhere Specified

  NZ                    New Zealand

  OECS                  Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (comprised of
                        Antigua & Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands,
                        Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis, St.
                        Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines). Anguilla and the
                        British Virgin Islands are associate members.

  US                    United States of America

  USDA                  United States Department of Agriculture

  USDOC                 United States Department of Commerce

  USVI                  United States Virgin Islands

  WTO                   World Trade Organization

  VAT                   Value Added Tax

                        
  --------------- ----- -------------------------------------------------------

 

**Table of Contents**

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Basic Facts (Geography, Demographics, Infrastructure)\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....1

  Consumer Trends and Attitude Towards Imports\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... \...\...\...\...\...3

  The Wholesale Food
  Sector\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....3

  The Retail Food
  Sector\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....5

  Business Relationships/Choosing a Partner\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....7

  Laws and Regulations Concerning Imported Food\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....7

  Tariffs and Other
  Taxes\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....7

  Contacts for Regulatory
  Information\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....8

  Consumer Food
  Imports\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....10

  Appendix 1: Representative Tariff Rates\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....18

  Appendix 2: British Territories Buyers List\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....20
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

**Basic Facts (Geography, Demographics, Infrastructure)**

> The British dependent territories in the Caribbean include Anguilla,
> British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and Turks and
> Caicos Islands. For the purpose of this report, Montserrat has been
> omitted, as it is largely depopulated due to volcanic activity.
> Bermuda, another British territory located in the Atlantic is not
> included either: it is presented in a separate report.
>
> The British territories in the Caribbean consist of several small
> islands whose economies are based on tourism and offshore banking and
> finance. The Cayman Islands are the most westerly. They are located
> south of Cuba, 460 miles south of Miami, and 180 miles northwest of
> Jamaica. The Turks and Caicos Islands lie to the Southeast of the
> Bahamas chain, 90 miles north of Haiti. The British Virgin Islands and
> Anguilla are contiguous. The British Virgin Islands are located 80
> miles east of Puerto Rico and adjacent to the US Virgin Islands.
> Anguilla is further east of Puerto Rico and is the most northerly of
> the Leeward Islands.

+----------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| **C      | **Popu   | **Area** | *       | **GDP per | **Number of |
| ountry** | lation** |          | *Number | capita    | visitors    |
|          |          | **(sq.   | of      | (US\$)**  | per ye**ar  |
|          |          | mi.)**   | is      |           |             |
|          |          |          | lands** |           |             |
+----------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| Anguilla | 10,300   | 35       | 2       | 5,880     | 107,086     |
+----------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| British  | 18,305   | 59       | 36      | 15,018    | 328,525     |
| Virgin   |          |          |         |           |             |
| Islands  |          |          |         |           |             |
+----------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| Cayman   | 33,600   | 100      | 3       | 28,300    | 1,040,000   |
| Islands  |          |          |         |           |             |
+----------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+-------------+
| Turks    | 13,800   | 192      | 40      | 6,415     | 78,956      |
| and      |          |          |         |           |             |
| Caicos   |          |          |         |           |             |
+----------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+-------------+

> Source: 1997 Caribbean Basin Profile, Caribbean Publishing Co. and
> Caribbean Latin American Action.
>
> **Anguilla**
>
> Anguilla consists of one major island and a dependent territory,
> Sombrero, which is located 30 miles to the north. Total population is
> 10,300, mostly of African descent. The Valley is the capital and is
> located in the center of the island. In addition to the local
> population, there are as many as 1,000 part-time residents from the US
> and Europe, especially during the high season of November-March. These
> visitors are important consumers of high-value products, as they tend
> to be wealthier than the average tourist or local resident. The
> currency used in Anguilla is the Eastern Caribbean dollar.
>
> Anguilla has about 65 miles of roads, of which 40 are paved. The
> principal ports are located at Road Bay and Sandy Ground. There is a
> smaller port at Blowing Point. The airport is located one mile from
> the capital and has a 3,600-foot runway. Major shipping companies
> include Bernuth Lines, Crowley American Transport, P&O Container, and
> Tropical Shipping.
>
> **British Virgin Islands**
>
> The British Virgin Islands (BVI) consist of thirty-size islands,
> sixteen of which are inhabited. The principal islands are Tortola (21
> square miles), Anegada (15 square miles), Virgin Gorda (8 square
> miles) and Jost Van Dyke (3.4 square miles) Total population is
> estimated at 18,300, over ninety percent of which are of African
> descent, the remainder being of European, American or Asian origin.
> The capital is Road Town, which is on Tortola. The currency used in
> the BVI is the US dollar.
>
> There are 85 miles of paved roads in total. Port Purcell and West End
> on Tortola are the major ports. St. Thomas Bay (Virgin Gorda) and
> Great Harbor (Jost Van Dyke) are other principal locations. There are
> ferry services to the US Virgin Islands also. Beef Service
> International Airport is located 10 mi. from Road Town. There are two
> additional airports on Virgin Gorda and Anegada. Major shipping
> companies include Atlantic, Crowley American Transport, Saguenay
> Shipping, and Tropical Shipping Co. Air cargo includes American
> Airlines Air Cargo, Four Star Air Cargo, Rush It Inc., Atlantic Air
> BVI, and LIAT.
>
> **Cayman Islands**
>
> Three major islands compose the Cayman Islands: Grand Cayman, Little
> Cayman and Cayman Brac. Most of the 33,600 residents live on Grand
> Cayman. Cayman Brac has around 1,500 residents and Little Cayman has
> less than 100 inhabitants. Grand Cayman, the main island, is about 65
> miles west of the smaller two. The capital and only important
> metropolitan area, George Town, is located there. The Cayman Islands\'
> ethnic divisions include: African descent (20 percent), Caucasian
> descent (20 percent), mixed (40 percent), and expatriates of various
> ethnic groups (20 percent). GDP per capita is among the highest in the
> world. Besides tourism, offshore business and international finance
> are the major contributors to the economy. The currency used in the
> Cayman Islands is the Cayman Islands dollar.
>
> In the Cayman Islands, the major international airport and the main
> commercial port are both located in George Town. Each of the two
> smaller islands also have airports and seaports but they are not used
> for international traffic. There are 110 miles of good quality roads
> on the island. Freight transportation is regular and efficient between
> the US and George Town. Thompson Shipping Co. offers two sailings out
> of Miami and one sailing out of Tampa every week. Kirk Line Ltd. also
> has a regular service out of Miami every week. American Airlines
> Cargo, Air Jamaica, Cayman Airways Cargo, Jamaica Air Freighters and
> Northwest Airlines provide air cargo service.
>
> **Turks and Caicos**
>
> Turks and Caicos consists of forty islands, of which only eight are
> inhabited. North Caicos, Middle Caicos, East Caicos and Providenciales
> are the largest islands. The capital, Cockburn Town, is located on
> Grand Turk, a smaller island. Total population of Turks and Caicos is
> estimated at 13,800, but non-residents living in the islands are not
> counted in this number. They represent an additional 10,000 people or
> more throughout the year. Providenciales is the main travel
> destination and the most populated area with 8,000 to 10,000
> inhabitants. Grand Turk has a population of 3,500, while North Caicos
> and South Caicos have populations of 1,500 each. The economy is based
> on tourism, offshore financial services and fishing. The population is
> mostly of African descent with a few persons of Caucasian and mixed
> origins. The currency used in Turks and Caicos is the US dollar.
>
> Turks and Caicos has a total of 75 miles of roads. There are ports in
> Grand Turks, South Caicos, Providenciales, and Salt Clay, and airports
> on Grand Turk, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, and
> Providenciales. Shipping lines include Tropical Shipping Co., Agency
> Vulcan Shipping Co., Caicos Caribbean Airways, and Continental
> Shipping Co. Air service includes American (twice daily), Bahamas Air
> (twice weekly), Canada 3000 and Air Canada (weekly), Inter-Island Air
> (local charter), Skyking (local charter), and Turks & Caicos Airways
> (local schedule). Within the islands, small plane service is the
> primary means of food transportation.

**Consumer Trends and Attitude Towards Imports**

> People shop in supermarkets and grocery stores because there are very
> few of the village shops one finds on other Caribbean islands.
> Consumers are, by and large, willing and financially able to try new
> products, and very used to US products and culture because of a great
> influx of US visitors and the ubiquitousness of US cable television.
> Most people on these islands have refrigerators and microwaves.
>
> Most people walk or drive to shop at the nearest store. In general,
> people go food shopping a couple of times a week, with the woman being
> the main decision-maker when it comes to purchasing food. In the BVI,
> migrant workers from other Caribbean islands (Eastern Caribbean,
> Trinidad, and Jamaica) reportedly go food shopping on an almost daily
> basis.
>
> Local agricultural production is limited to small quantities of
> vegetables, fruits, and livestock, and almost all food is imported.
> The market has a particularly favorable attitude toward the United
> States, and US food products are generally preferred over most other
> origins. The US is currently the major food supplier to each of these
> territories. Imports from the UK are the closest competition to US
> imports.

**The Wholesale Food Sector**

> **Anguilla**
>
> Anguilla is a small island, so the wholesale operations are quite
> limited. All of the larger supermarkets also sell on a wholesale
> basis, but none of these companies offers delivery service. Anguilla
> wholesalers include Albert\'s, Ashley\'s and Sons, and the Fair Play
> Food Center. These companies import for their own supermarkets, and
> then also sell to the hotels and restaurants on the island. Most food
> products are imported through Miami. Wholesalers in St. Maarten supply
> some supermarkets in Anguilla.
>
> **British Virgin Islands**
>
> There are only a few food importer-distributors in the BVI, all
> located in Road Town on Tortola. Road Town Wholesale is by far the
> largest, followed by K-Marks, Supa-Value, and Bobby\'s. Road Town
> Wholesale are agents for a number of international companies, and
> report that they have never signed a non-competition agreement. When
> other companies on the island bring in a product that Road Town
> represents, they normally get a commission. Road Town has roughly
> 60,000 square feet of warehouse space, and operates a chain of four
> supermarkets on Tortola. Half of Road Town\'s imports are for their
> own supermarkets, with the other half going to hotels, other
> supermarkets, and boats. Yacht chandlery is reportedly big business in
> the BVI, reportedly accounting for more food sales than the hotel
> trade.
>
> K-Mark\'s is a wholesaler with a chain of three supermarkets and a
> business evenly divided between wholesale and retail. They also act as
> manufacturers\' agents. K-Marks offers a refrigerated truck delivery
> service to hotels, and sends product on freighter boats and ferries to
> the other islands.
>
> ![](media/image2.png){width="2.3020833333333335in"
> height="3.9270833333333335in"}There are a few other importers in the
> BVI, including Supa-Valu, Bobby\'s, and several of the independent
> groceries. Given that the market is quite small, no great changes are
> expected and the bulk of food imports will continue to be sourced out
> of the United States, mostly from Florida-based wholesalers.
>
> **Cayman Islands**
>
> Wholesalers and supermarkets are the major importers of food products
> to the Cayman Islands. Most wholesalers represent selected brand names
> under exclusive representation agreements. They buy the products
> directly from the manufacturers and receive a special price in
> addition to marketing and promotional support. Wholesale companies
> supply the grocery stores, the hotels and the restaurants, as well as
> the supermarkets for the products for which they are the exclusive
> importers. Some even assist the supermarkets in the merchandising of
> the products in-store.
>
> The largest wholesalers in the Caymans import all kinds of food
> products, whether under exclusive representation agreements or not.
> Three of them dominate the market: Jacques Scott & Co and its
> subsidiary Cayman Wholesale, Cayman Distribution Co., and Kirkconnel
> Brothers Co. These companies supply all the supermarkets, the grocery
> stores and the HRI (hotel, restaurant, and institutional) trade
> throughout the islands. Supermarkets also import significant volumes
> from wholesalers overseas. Wholesalers in Miami are their major
> sources of supply. Products imported are of a large variety, ranging
> from fresh, to frozen, to dry products, to drinks and beverages.
> Imports of alcoholic beverages, however, require a license from the
> government and have their own specialized distribution system.
>
> Cayman wholesale companies are well equipped, with extensive
> investments in the storage, handling and delivery of food products,
> including a computer-controlled inventory system. Most importers and
> wholesalers are located in George Town and have their warehouse in the
> proximity of the seaport and airport. They offer a delivery service to
> their customers throughout the islands. Established customers have an
> open account payable at the end of the month.
>
> **Turks and Caicos**
>
> Local production of food products is limited to subsistence farming in
> North Caicos. Turks and Caicos, therefore, has to rely entirely on
> imports for its food supply. About ten companies account for 95
> percent of food imports. They include four wholesale companies, three
> supermarkets, and several convenience stores and hotels and
> restaurants. Major wholesalers such as T.C. Trading, Provo Hits, and
> Community Enterprises are located in Providenciales, the main tourist
> location. These firms primarily supply the hotels and restaurants. One
> company, Turks Islands Importers is the only wholesaler in Grand Turk;
> however, it makes more revenue on the retail market than the wholesale
> business. The three supermarkets, First Choice IGA, Island Pride
> Supermarket and Quality Supermarket are located in Providenciales, and
> they also sell wholesale to grocery stores throughout Turks and
> Caicos.
>
> The volume of the food import market is quite small, so most
> wholesalers have only limited workspace and storage room. Their
> equipment is modern, however, and includes chilled and frozen rooms.
> They also undertake truck deliveries within their respective islands.
> Deliveries to other islands are by small planes, at the expense of the
> buyer.
>
> **Future of Wholesale Distribution**
>
> The wholesale distribution market is particularly stable in these
> islands. Competition is active but involves mostly well-established
> firms, and no major player has entered or exited the market in recent
> years.

**The Retail Food Sector**

> **Anguilla**
>
> There are about twenty supermarkets and superettes, or smaller grocery
> stores, on Anguilla. Albert\'s is one of the larger supermarkets, with
> eight aisles and three checkout stands. Ashley and Sons has nine
> aisles and four checkout stands. The Fair Play Food Center, an IGA
> franchisee, has five aisles and four checkout stands. There is also a
> smaller, gourmet grocery store called Vista, which caters mostly to
> the tourist and part-time resident trade.
>
> ![](media/image3.png){width="2.3020833333333335in"
> height="3.7708333333333335in"}The retail supermarkets import directly
> from manufacturers in the US, usually shipping through Miami, and also
> buy from wholesalers located in Florida and St. Maarten. Fair Play
> Food Center receives its products through Supervalu in Florida, which
> is the supplier for IGA in the Caribbean.
>
> **British Virgin Islands**
>
> There are about twenty supermarkets and grocery stores in the BVI,
> mostly located on Tortola. Road Town Wholesale operates four stores,
> K-Marks has three, and Bobby\'s has two. K-Marks reportedly has the
> largest single store, which has ten aisles and four checkout stands,
> and is equipped with scanners. K-Marks also has a five-aisle community
> superette and a seven-aisle outlet targeted toward boat provision.
>
> Road Town Wholesale\'s four supermarkets are called Riteway. These
> stores are planning to install scanners. Two of the stores are
> reportedly bigger than the larger of the two Bobby\'s supermarkets,
> which is about 15,000 square feet. Bobby\'s imports mostly from
> various Miami wholesalers, and also buys from Road Town and K-Marks.
> There are a few other independent groceries who are supplied by a
> combination of local, Florida, and St. Maarten wholesalers.
>
> **Cayman Islands**
>
> Two major categories of operators participate in the retail food
> market: supermarkets and grocery stores. Supermarkets account for
> about 90 percent of food sales to the consumer. Foster\'s Food Fair is
> the largest food retailer and owns two supermarkets, one in George
> Town and another, the largest in the Caymans, in West Bay. Food
> Fair\'s competitors are the Kirk Supermarket (a division of the
> wholesale company Kirkconnel Brothers) Hurley\'s Supermarket (a
> division of the wholesale company Cayman Imports Ltd.), and Republix
> Supermarket. Kirk and Hurley are both located in George Town while
> Republix supermarket is in West Bay.
>
> Foster\'s Food Fair\'s store in West Bay has an area of 50,000 square
> feet, and the one in George Town is 31,000 square feet. The Kirk and
> Hurley supermarkets both have an area of 25,000 square feet, while
> Republix Supermarket is of about half the size of these stores.
> Caymanian supermarkets are similar to those in the US in that they use
> bar codes, their checkout stands are equipped with scanners, and
> credit cards are accepted. Each store has different departments such
> as meat, produce, seafood, dairy products, dry goods, drinks and
> beverages or snacks, but they do not carry any alcoholic beverages.
> There are about fifteen licensed liquor stores in the Cayman Islands.
>
> About one hundred smaller grocery stores also compete in the food
> retail market. Cayman Brac, the second island with a population of
> 1,500, has four grocery stores. Few of the grocery stores import from
> overseas, instead buying from local wholesalers. Grocery stores are
> usually of a size smaller than 3,000 square feet, and only the larger
> ones use bar codes and accept credit cards.
>
> **Turks and Caicos**
>
> There are three supermarkets, three medium size grocery stores and
> about one hundred small shops and convenience stores in Turks and
> Caicos. The supermarkets are located in Providenciales, while the
> grocery stores tend to be in Grand Turk. Each island also has a number
> of small stores that carry a wide variety of products. Supermarkets
> import most of their supplies from the US. They might also import from
> Europe, but imports from other sources are very small. Many of the
> small grocery stores also import food products and, at the same time,
> rely on the wholesalers and supermarkets for the supply of some low
> volume items and selected goods. Supermarkets tend to import on a
> weekly basis, with the smaller stores importing on a monthly basis.
>
> First Choice IGA and Island Pride Supermarket each have store areas of
> about 10,000 square feet. The First Choice supermarket just opened two
> years ago and is the most modern grocery store in Turks and Caicos.
> The third supermarket, Quality Supermarket, is similar in design to
> the other two, but smaller at only 4,000 square feet. Convenience
> stores are quite small, generally between 100 to 500 square feet. They
> carry a limited variety of products and tend to concentrate on dry and
> canned goods.
>
> **Future of Retail Distribution**
>
> In Anguilla, with the exception of a few stores planning to install
> scanners and the IGA\'s plan to put in an in-store bakery and deli, no
> expansion is foreseen in the supermarket industry. At the moment, the
> main competition to BVI retail food sales is coming from the US Virgin
> Islands. St. Thomas is only a short ferry ride away and many BVI
> residents take advantage of lower prices at the Cost-U warehouse store
> and K-Mart there. Though no major changes or additions are planned to
> existing supermarkets in the BVI, some retailers said they were
> considering creating a warehouse-type store to compete with Cost-U.
> Road Town Wholesale already allows individuals to shop its warehouses,
> a practice which is quite popular.
>
> In the Cayman Islands, the most recent change in the retail
> distribution market is the opening of the second supermarket by
> Foster\'s Food Fair. Considering the size of this new store, it is
> likely that competition will increase within the industry. In Turks
> and Caicos, the market is small, and not very dynamic. The owners of
> First Choice IGA are currently seeking a buyer for the store they just
> inaugurated two years ago.

**Business Relationships/Choosing a Partner**

> Often in the Caribbean, one has the choice of exporting to a
> distributor or directly to retail outlets. Dealing with a distributor
> has the advantages of national coverage as well as marketing and
> promotion assistance, while dealing with retailers has the advantage
> of shortening the distribution chain and lowering costs. For most of
> the British territories in the Caribbean, the wholesalers and
> retailers are the same companies, so this choice doesn\'t present
> itself as often. When choosing agents in these islands, it is always
> advisable to deal with the established companies, as they have the
> capital and contacts necessary to effectively market the product.
> US-based wholesalers are another avenue of supplying the Caribbean.
> More information on these companies is available in \"the Caribbean: A
> Summary Export Guide to the Consumer Food Market.\"
>
> Most importers report receiving a credit from their traditional
> suppliers. Wholesalers, in turn, sell to established customers with a
> 30-day credit or less.

**Laws and Regulations Concerning Imported Food**

> Food laws are quite relaxed in the British dependencies in the
> Caribbean. However, food from the United States is expected to conform
> to US regulations. Meat imports must be accompanied by a certificate
> of wholesomeness from USDA.
>
> It is not necessary to register trademarks in these countries, but it
> is advisable to do so. Trademark registration may be done through the
> Registry of Companies in Anguilla and the General Registry in the
> Cayman Islands.
>
> Permits are not required for most food imports. In the Cayman Islands
> and the BVI, fruit and vegetable importers are required to obtain a
> Plant Import License.

**Tariffs and Other Taxes**

> See Appendix 1 for a list of representative tariff rates for the
> British territories.
>
> **Anguilla**
>
> Most imports of consumer foods are subject to a 5 to 15 percent duty
> rate, except for certain items which are duty-free, including the
> following poultry, dairy, and produce items: whole chickens, geese,
> turkey, duck, fresh or chilled poultry cuts, frozen boneless poultry
> cuts, powdered milk and cream, potatoes and sweet potatoes, bananas
> and plantains, dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangos,
> citrus fruit and various grains.
>
> Duty-free rates are also applied to imports of baby food, pastries,
> some prepared vegetables, jams, jellies, and soup. Fruit juices and
> waters are also duty-free, while tariffs on alcoholic beverages range
> from 30 percent on wine and beer to \$3.80 per gallon of stronger
> spirits.
>
> **BVI**
>
> Many food imports into the British Virgin Islands are subject to a 5
> percent duty rate except for the following which are duty-free:
> poultry, fish, all vegetables, fresh or chilled (but not including
> potatoes of the solanum family, onions and garlic), all cereal grains
> (but not including sweet corn on the cob), sugar, water and ice.
>
> Other items receive a higher rate of duty. Some are 10 percent: dried
> or frozen fruit, coffee and tea, cooking oils, and peanut butter.
> Other imported products are subject to a 15 percent duty rate:
> mollusks and crustaceans, butter, fresh nuts other than coconuts or
> peanuts, roasted or salted nuts, sugar confectionary, chocolate and
> chocolate confectionary, breakfast cereals and pastries, olives,
> potato chips, fruit preserved by sugar, fruit juices, ice cream, and
> aerated waters. Duties on alcoholic beverages range from \$1.10 per
> gallon of beer to \$3.00 per gallon of brandy or whiskey. Spirits such
> as gin, rum, and vodka receive a \$2.30 per gallon duty.
>
> **Cayman Islands**
>
> Most imported food items attract a 15 percent to 20 percent duty,
> except the following duty-free items which may be of interest to US
> exporters: poultry, fish, milk and cream, cheese, peas and beans,
> coffee, grains, spaghetti products, margarine, flours, and breakfast
> cereals. Duties for alcoholic beverages vary depending on alcohol
> content, from \$1.80 per liter for beer to \$17.10 per liter for
> strong spirits.
>
> **Turks and Caicos**
>
> Tariffs on imported foods can reach up to 25 percent of the f.o.b.
> value, plus an additional 10 percent surcharge on the duty. All fruits
> and vegetables, whether fresh or frozen, are duty-free. The following
> is a brief list of the duties applied to other imported foods and
> beverages in the Turks and Caicos Islands: processed meats, 10
> percent; lard and lard substitute, 12 percent; tea, 15 percent; sugar,
> 16 percent; all other assorted foodstuffs, 25 percent.
>
> Alcoholic beverage imports are subject to duty-free rates ranging from
> \$7.04 per gallon on beer to \$17.93 per gallon on rum (other spirits
> receive a charge of \$12.54), plus a 10 percent surcharge on the duty.

**Contacts for Regulatory Information**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Anguilla**

   

  [Agricultural Department]{.underline}

  The Valley, Anguilla

  British West Indies

  Tel: (264) 497-2615

  Contact: Mr. Richardson

   

  [Customs Office]{.underline}

  The Valley, Anguilla

  British West Indies

  Tel: (809) 497-2513

  Fax: (809) 497-5483

  Contact: Mr. Layford Morton

   

  [Primary Health Care Department]{.underline}

  Environmental Health Unit

  The Valley, Anguilla

  British West Indies

  Tel: (264) 497-2631

  Fax: (264) 497-5486

  Contact: Leroy Richardson

   

  [Registry of Companies]{.underline}

  The Valley, Anguilla

  British West Indies

  Tel: (264) 497-3881

   

  [Treasury Department]{.underline}

  The Valley, Anguilla

  British West Indies

  Tel: (264) 497-2451

   

  **BVI**

   

  [Office of the Comptroller of Customs]{.underline}

  Road Town, Tortola

  British Virgin Islands

  Tel: (809) 494-3475

  Fax: (809) 494-6660

  Contact: Mr. V. Hodge

   

  [Department of Agriculture]{.underline}

  Paraquita Bay

  Road Town, Tortola

  British Virgin Islands

  Tel: (809) 495-2110

  Fax: (809) 495-1269

  Contact: Mr. Austin Percibel

   

  [Trade and Investment Promotion Department]{.underline}

  BVI Government

  Road Town, Tortola

  British Virgin Islands

  Tel: (809) 494-3701

  Fax: (809) 494-5676

  Contact: Ms. Delores Christopher

   

  **Cayman Islands**

   

  [Department of Agriculture]{.underline}

  P.O. Box 459

  George Town, Grand Cayman

  Cayman Islands, BVI

  Tel: (345) 945-2267

  Fax: (345) 945-1476

   

  [Customs Administration Office]{.underline}

  Tower Building

  P.O. Box 898

  George Town, Grand Cayman

  Cayman Islands, BVI

  Tel:(345) 949-2479

  Fax: (345) 949-1594

  Contact: Alberto Powery

   

  **Turks and Caicos**

   

  [Department of Customs]{.underline}

  South Base, Grand Turk

  Turk and Caicos Islands

  Tel: (809) 946-2993

  Fax: (809) 946-2887

  Contact: Mr. Clinton Wilson

   

  [Health Department]{.underline}

  Dunscombe Alley

  Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands

  Tel: (809) 946-2152

  Fax: (809) 946-2411

  Contact: Mr. Joseph E. Williams, Chief Environmental Health Officer

   
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

**Consumer Food Imports**

> Despite the dependency status of the four island groups included in
> this report, they all rely heavily on US suppliers for most of their
> consumer food import requirements. Combined consumer food imports are
> estimated in the range of \$110 to \$140 million per year: the Cayman
> Islands (\$70 to \$80 million), the BVI (\$20 to \$30 million),
> Anguilla (\$10 to \$15 million), and the Turks and Caicos Islands
> (\$10 to \$15 million).[^(1)^](http://www.cbato.fas.usda.gov/#N_1_)
> Table 1 shows imports of consumer food products from three
> extra-regional and two regional
> suppliers.[^(2)^](http://www.cbato.fas.usda.gov/#N_2_)

+--------+------+-------+------+---------+---------+--------+-------+
| **     |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| [Table |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| 1]{.   |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| underl |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| ine}** |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
|        |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| **I    |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| mports |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| of     |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| Co     |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| nsumer |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| Food   |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| Pr     |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| oducts |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| from   |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| Se     |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| lected |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| Supp   |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| liers, |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| 1996   |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| (US\$0 |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| 00s)** |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
+--------+------+-------+------+---------+---------+--------+-------+
| Market | USA  | C     | EU   | Tri     | Bar     | Total  | Total |
|        |      | anada |      | nidad\* | bados\* | Se     | M     |
|        |      |       |      |         |         | lected | arket |
|        |      |       |      |         |         | Sup    | Siz   |
|        |      |       |      |         |         | pliers | e\*\* |
|        |      |       |      |         |         |        | (\    |
|        |      |       |      |         |         |        | $mil) |
+--------+------+-------+------+---------+---------+--------+-------+
| An     | 1    | 19    | 2    | 49      | 103     | 4,241  | 10-15 |
| guilla | ,341 |       | ,729 |         |         |        |       |
+--------+------+-------+------+---------+---------+--------+-------+
| BVI    | 9    | 100   | 3    | 124     | 110     | 13,192 | 20-30 |
|        | ,126 |       | ,732 |         |         |        |       |
+--------+------+-------+------+---------+---------+--------+-------+
| Turks  | 4    | 26    | 1    | 81      | 3       | 5,869  | 10-15 |
| &      | ,677 |       | ,082 |         |         |        |       |
| Caicos |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
+--------+------+-------+------+---------+---------+--------+-------+
| Cayman | 20   | 352   | 7    | 268     | 8       | 28,695 | 70-80 |
| I      | ,370 |       | ,697 |         |         |        |       |
| slands |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
+--------+------+-------+------+---------+---------+--------+-------+
| Total  | 35   | 498   | 15   | 522     | 224     | 51,998 | 11    |
|        | ,514 |       | ,240 |         |         |        | 0-140 |
+--------+------+-------+------+---------+---------+--------+-------+
| *So    |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| urces: |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| Of     |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| ficial |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| export |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| stat   |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| istics |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| for    |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| each   |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| exp    |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| orting |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| cou    |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| ntry.* |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
|        |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| *      |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| \*1995 |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| export |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| stati  |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| stics* |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
|        |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| *\*\*  |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| in     |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| cludes |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| other  |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| sup    |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| pliers |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| and    |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| est    |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| imates |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| of     |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| un     |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| der-re |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| ported |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| e      |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| xports |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| by the |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| US and |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| the    |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
| EU*    |      |       |      |         |         |        |       |
+--------+------+-------+------+---------+---------+--------+-------+

> With the exception of Anguilla, supplies from the US dominate the
> markets. Overall, the US accounts for 68 percent of total imports from
> these suppliers. The EU, mostly the UK, accounts for nearly 29 percent
> of these imports, with the other countries accounting for only a
> combined 2 percent.
>
> The last column in Table 1 shows estimates for total import market
> size of consumer food and beverage items, including understatement of
> exports by the US and EU, as well as estimated supplies from other
> countries. Other suppliers are thought to account for no more
>
> 1\. Import statistics for these markets and export statistics for
> their suppliers are considered unreliable. While current data for the
> BVI and Anguilla are available, data from the Cayman Islands is over
> two years old and no statistics are unavailable from the Turks &
> Caicos. US export statistics are considered to be underestimated to
> all markets. Additionally, imports into the BVI and Anguilla are often
> transhipped through neighboring islands and will therefore not appear
> in US or EU export statistics. Because of the trade data
> inconsistencies, the total import market size of consumer food and
> beverage items has been estimated using both export data and import
> data (when available). In the cases where both market import and
> supplier export data is available, both are presented. Other countries
> are estimated to supply no more than 20 to 40 percent of total
> consumer food import requirements in each market (often less). The US
> dominates the market for most items and also supplies transhipped
> goods through Miami from other countries; these transhipments are not
> reported in US export statistics.
>
> 2\. Consumer foods are defined for the purposes of this market study
> as the following two-digit Harmonized System categories: 02 (Meat,
> Fresh, Frozen and Dried), 03 (Fish And Seafood, Fresh, Frozen and
> Dried), 04 (Dairy and Eggs), 07 (Vegetables, Fresh, Frozen and Dried),
> 08 (Fruit And Nuts), 09 (Coffee, Tea, Mate And Spices), 16
> (Preparations Of Meat and Fish), 17 (Sugars And Sugar Confectionary),
> 18 (Cocoa And Cocoa Preparations), 19 (Preparations Of Cereals), 20
> (Preparations Of Vegetables and Fruits), 21 (Miscellaneous Edible
> Preparations), 22 (Beverages, Spirits And Vinegar).
>
> ![](media/image4.jpeg){width="5.385416666666667in"
> height="3.5625in"}than 20 to 40 percent of total food and beverage
> imports (often less). These other suppliers would include New Zealand,
> which supplies much of the Caribbean with large quantities of milk,
> cheese, and meat products. Other regional suppliers also supply these
> markets, mostly with beverages, fresh and processed horticultural
> items, and transhipments from the US and other countries. Jamaica
> supplies the Cayman Islands, while members of the Organization of
> Eastern Caribbean States, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and St.
> Maarten export to the BVI and Anguilla. Turks & Caicos imports small
> volumes from Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.
>
> Table 2 and Figure 1 show the general categories of food imports from
> the US, Canada, and the EU. Beverages and spirits account for the
> largest share of imports from these suppliers, followed by
> miscellaneous edible preparations, meat, processed fruits and
> vegetables, and dairy products. Best prospects for US suppliers
> include: wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages; soft drinks,
> juices, and bottled water; fresh vegetables and fruits; fresh and
> frozen meat (including chicken, beef, pork); frozen fish; dairy
> products (mostly to the Cayman Islands); and various other processed
> food products (cereals, snack foods, canned and frozen fruits and
> vegetables, condiments, etc.). Because of its relative market size,
> exporters may be more willing to concentrate on the Cayman Islands\'
> market directly, while using Miami and Puerto Rican wholesalers for
> the other much smaller markets. Additional details on food imports and
> best market prospects for each market are given below. Also see Table
> 10 at the end of this section for a summary by product and market of
> best prospects for US exporters.

+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| **[Table          |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| 2]{.underline}**  |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
|                   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| **Consumer Food   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Product Imports   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| from Major        |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Developed         |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Suppliers for the |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Four Markets,     |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| 1996, US\$000**   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| Products          | US   | Mkt | EU   | Mkt | Ca   | Mkt | TOTAL |
|                   |      | Sh  |      | Sh  | nada | Sh  |       |
|                   |      | are |      | are |      | are |       |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 02 Meat           | 5    | 96  | 59   | 1%  | 185  | 3%  | 5,727 |
| (fr               | ,483 | %   |      |     |      |     |       |
| esh/frozen/dried) |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 03 Fish & Seafood | 1    | 83% | 319  | 17% | 0    | 0%  | 1,890 |
| (fr               | ,571 |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| esh/frozen/dried) |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 04 Dairy & Eggs   | 1    | 44% | 1    | 55% | 6    | 0%  | 3,104 |
|                   | ,376 |     | ,722 |     |      |     |       |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 07 Vegetables     | 2    | 99% | 12   | 1%  | 6    | 0%  | 2,452 |
| (fr               | ,434 |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| esh/frozen/dried) |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 08 Fruit & Nuts   | 518  | 1   | 1    | 0%  | 0    | 0%  | 519   |
| (fr               |      | 00% |      |     |      |     |       |
| esh/frozen/dried) |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 09 Coffee, Tea,   | 85   | 64% | 48   | 36% | 0    | 0%  | 133   |
| Mate & Spices     |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 16 Preparations   | 323  | 89% | 38   | 11% | 0    | 0%  | 361   |
| of Meat and Fish  |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 17 Sugars & Sugar | 791  | 70% | 296  | 26% | 41   | 4%  | 1,128 |
| Confectionary     |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 18 Cocoa & Cocoa  | 276  | n   | 214  | n   | 0    | n   | 490   |
| Preparations      |      | .a. |      | .a. |      | .a. |       |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 19 Preparations   | 2    | 93% | 149  | 6%  | 23   | 1%  | 2,470 |
| of Cereals        | ,298 |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 20 Preparations   | 3    | 77% | 778  | 19% | 167  | 4%  | 4,109 |
| of Vegetables &   | ,163 |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Fruits            |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 21 Miscellaneous  | 8    | 95% | 460  | 5%  | 5    | 0%  | 8,557 |
| Edible            | ,092 |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Preparations      |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 22 Beverages,     | 9    | 45% | 11   | 55% | 66   | 0%  | 2     |
| Spirits & Vinegar | ,104 |     | ,142 |     |      |     | 0,312 |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
|                   | 35   | 69% | 15   | 30% | 498  | 1%  | 5     |
|                   | ,514 |     | ,240 |     |      |     | 1,252 |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| *Source: Official |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| export data of    |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| the US, Canada,   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| and the EU*       |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
|                   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| *Note: Data is    |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| considered to be  |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| underestimated    |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| and does not take |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| into account      |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| shipment from     |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| these suppliers   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| that are          |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| transhipped       |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| through other     |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Caribbean         |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| islands. Market   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| share is based on |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| imports from      |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| these three       |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| suppliers only    |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| (relying on their |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| export            |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| statistics).      |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Other suppliers   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| are estimated to  |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| account no more   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| than 20% to 40%   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| of total          |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| imports.*         |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+-------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+

> **Anguilla.** With a consumer food import market estimated at under
> \$15 million, Anguilla along with the Turks and Caicos Islands are the
> smallest markets covered in this report. Importers report that some
> product is not imported directly, but is transhipped through other
> Caribbean markets such as St. Maarten. Eggs are produced locally but
> are also imported, while milk and ice cream are imported from St.
> Thomas and Barbados. Butter and cheese are imported from both St.
> Croix and through Miami-based wholesalers. Most fish that is consumed
> is sourced locally or regionally. Fresh produce is imported from
> Florida, through companies such as B&B (Tampa), Diversified Foods
> (Pompano Beach) and Associated Grocers (Miami). The best and really
> only prospect for a US manufacturer to supply directly to this market
> is frozen chicken. All other consumer food item volume is so small
> that US suppliers should work with Miami-based consolidators or
> importers in neighboring islands such as St. Martin or the USVI to
> supply this market.
>
> A breakdown of general food import categories is provided in Table 3
> (based on key suppliers\' export statistics) and Table 4 (based on
> Anguillan import statistics).

+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| **[Table            |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| 3]{.underline}**    |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
|                     |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| **Anguilla Consumer |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| Food Product        |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| Imports from Major  |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| Developed           |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| Suppliers, 1996,    |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| US\$000**           |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| Products            | US  | Mkt | EU  | Mkt | Ca   | Mkt | TOTAL  |
|                     |     | Sh  |     | Sh  | nada | Sh  |        |
|                     |     | are |     | are |      | are |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| 02 Meat             | 857 | 94% | 59  | 6%  | 0    | 0%  | 916    |
| (                   |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| fresh/frozen/dried) |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| 03 Fish & Seafood   | 6   | 1   | 0   | 0%  | 0    | 0%  | 6      |
| (                   |     | 00% |     |     |      |     |        |
| fresh/frozen/dried) |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| 04 Dairy & Eggs     | 0   | 0%  | 21  | 79% | 6    | 21% | 26     |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| 07 Vegetables       | 3   | 69% | 1   | 31% | 0    | 0%  | 4      |
| (                   |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| fresh/frozen/dried) |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| 08 Fruit & Nuts     | 3   | 1   | 0   | 0%  | 0    | 0%  | 3      |
| (                   |     | 00% |     |     |      |     |        |
| fresh/frozen/dried) |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| 09 Coffee, Tea,     | 0   | 0%  | 10  | 1   | 0    | 0%  | 10     |
| Mate & Spices       |     |     |     | 00% |      |     |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| 16 Preparations of  | 12  | 32% | 26  | 68% | 0    | 0%  | 38     |
| Meat and Fish       |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| 17 Sugars & Sugar   | 65  | 92% | 0   | 0%  | 6    | 8%  | 71     |
| Confectionary       |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| 18 Cocoa & Cocoa    | 0   |     | 0   |     | 0    |     | 0      |
| Preparations        |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| 19 Preparations of  | 32  | 96% | 1   | 4%  | 0    | 0%  | 33     |
| Cereals             |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| 20 Preparations of  | 24  | 53% | 15  | 33% | 6    | 14% | 45     |
| Vegetables & Fruits |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| 21 Miscellaneous    | 110 | 89% | 14  | 11% | 0    | 0%  | 124    |
| Edible Preparations |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| 22 Beverages,       | 229 | 8%  | 2,  | 92% | 2    | 0%  | 2,813  |
| Spirits & Vinegar   |     |     | 582 |     |      |     |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| TOTAL               | 1,  | 33% | 2,  | 67% | 19   | 0%  | 4,089  |
|                     | 341 |     | 729 |     |      |     |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| *Source: Official   |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| export data of the  |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| US, Canada, and the |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| EU*                 |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
|                     |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| *Note: Data is      |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| considered to be    |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| underestimated and  |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| does not take into  |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| account shipment    |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| from these          |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| suppliers that are  |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| transhipped through |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| other Caribbean     |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| islands. Market     |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| share is based on   |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| imports from these  |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| three suppliers     |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| only (relying on    |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| their export        |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| statistics). Other  |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| suppliers are       |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| estimated to        |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| account no more     |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| than 20% to 40% of  |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
| total imports.*     |     |     |     |     |      |     |        |
+---------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+

.

+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| **[Table    |          |          |          |          |          |
| 4]{.u       |          |          |          |          |          |
| nderline}** |          |          |          |          |          |
|             |          |          |          |          |          |
| **Selected  |          |          |          |          |          |
| Food        |          |          |          |          |          |
| Imports     |          |          |          |          |          |
| into        |          |          |          |          |          |
| Anguilla,   |          |          |          |          |          |
| 1992-1996,  |          |          |          |          |          |
| US\$000s**  |          |          |          |          |          |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
|             | 1992     | 1993     | 1994     | 1995     | 1996     |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Poultry     | 516      | 540      | 845      | 917      | 932      |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Other Meat  | 560      | 614      | 847      | 796      | 773      |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Fish        | 237      | 396      | 536      | 398      | 453      |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Dairy       | 731      | 867      | 1,116    | 1,026    | 1,080    |
| Products    |          |          |          |          |          |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Eggs        | 9        | 13       | 16       | 20       | 46       |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Vegetables  | 750      | 821      | 1,153    | 1,037    | 1,232    |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Fruits &    | 387      | 454      | 672      | 587      | 785      |
| Nuts        |          |          |          |          |          |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Coffee, Tea | 48       | 53       | 85       | 88       | 63       |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Rice        | 140      | 138      | 174      | 164      | 187      |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Flour       | 134      | 152      | 188      | 164      | 184      |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Margarine   | 121      | 107      | 123      | 97       | 119      |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Sugar       | 140      | 163      | 167      | 132      | 143      |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Water       | 141      | 231      | 343      | 419      | 484      |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Total       | 3,914    | 4,549    | 6,264    | 5,847    | 6,481    |
| Selected    |          |          |          |          |          |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| *Source:    |          |          |          |          |          |
| Statistics  |          |          |          |          |          |
| Unit,       |          |          |          |          |          |
| Ministry of |          |          |          |          |          |
| Finance,    |          |          |          |          |          |
| Anguilla*   |          |          |          |          |          |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+

> **British Virgin Islands.** Annual consumer food and beverage imports
> are estimated at around \$20 to \$30 million, nearly half of which is
> supplied directly by the US. Other US food products are imported
> through neighboring islands and more informally by BVI residents
> shopping at supermarkets in the USVI. Major US exports and continued
> best prospects include fresh vegetables, frozen chicken, soft drinks,
> beer, juices, wine, rum, as well as a variety of other processed food
> items (cereals, snack foods, canned soups, canned/frozen fruits and
> vegetables, etc.). Because of the relatively small volume of orders
> for individual items, US suppliers of all but the largest volume items
> should probably utilize Miami-based wholesalers who are already
> supplying many BVI importers.
>
> A breakdown of general food import categories is provided in Table 5
> (based on key suppliers\' export statistics) and Table 6 (based on BVI
> import statistics).

+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| **[Table             |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| 5]{.underline}**     |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
|                      |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| **BVI Consumer Food  |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| Product Imports from |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| Major Developed      |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| Suppliers, 1996,     |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| US\$000**            |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| Products             | US  | Mkt | EU  | Mkt | Ca   | Mkt | TOTAL |
|                      |     | Sh  |     | Sh  | nada | Sh  |       |
|                      |     | are |     | are |      | are |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 02 Meat              | 1,  | 97% | 0   | 0%  | 41   | 3%  | 1,584 |
| (fresh/frozen/dried) | 543 |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 03 Fish & Seafood    | 115 | 27% | 316 | 73% | 0    | 0%  | 431   |
| (fresh/frozen/dried) |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 04 Dairy & Eggs      | 41  | 7%  | 507 | 93% | 0    | 0%  | 548   |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 07 Vegetables        | 1,  | 1   | 0   | 0%  | 0    | 0%  | 1,963 |
| (fresh/frozen/dried) | 963 | 00% |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 08 Fruit & Nuts      | 323 | 1   | 0   | 0%  | 0    | 0%  | 323   |
| (fresh/frozen/dried) |     | 00% |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 09 Coffee, Tea, Mate | 28  | 45% | 34  | 55% | 0    | 0%  | 62    |
| & Spices             |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 16 Preparations of   | 126 | 1   | 0   | 0%  | 0    | 0%  | 126   |
| Meat and Fish        |     | 00% |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 17 Sugars & Sugar    | 174 | 47% | 199 | 53% | 0    | 0%  | 373   |
| Confectionary        |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 18 Cocoa & Cocoa     | 84  | 81% | 19  | 19% | 0    | 0%  | 103   |
| Preparations         |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 19 Preparations of   | 150 | 70% | 59  | 27% | 6    | 3%  | 215   |
| Cereals              |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 20 Preparations of   | 534 | 91% | 12  | 2%  | 43   | 7%  | 589   |
| Vegetables & Fruits  |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 21 Miscellaneous     | 2,  | 98% | 42  | 2%  | 0    | 0%  | 2,369 |
| Edible Preparations  | 327 |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 22 Beverages,        | 1,  | 40% | 2,  | 60% | 10   | 0%  | 4,271 |
| Spirits & Vinegar    | 718 |     | 543 |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| TOTAL                | 9,  | 70% | 3,  | 29% | 100  | 1%  | 1     |
|                      | 126 |     | 732 |     |      |     | 2,958 |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| *Source: Official    |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| export data of the   |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| US, Canada, and the  |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| EU*                  |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
|                      |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| *Note: Data is       |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| considered to be     |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| underestimated and   |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| does not take into   |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| account shipment     |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| from these suppliers |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| that are transhipped |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| through other        |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| Caribbean islands.   |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| Market share is      |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| based on imports     |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| from these three     |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| suppliers only       |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| (relying on their    |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| export statistics).  |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| Other suppliers are  |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| estimated to account |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| no more than 20% to  |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| 40% of total         |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| imports.*            |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+

.

+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| **[Table 6]{.underline}**       |           |           |           |
|                                 |           |           |           |
| **BVI Imports of Selected       |           |           |           |
| Consumer Food Products,         |           |           |           |
| US\$000s**                      |           |           |           |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|                                 | 1994      | 1995      | 1996      |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Meat & Meat Preps               | 4,942     | 5,676     | 6,088     |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Dairy Products & Eggs           | 3,066     | 2,908     | 2,908     |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Fish and Fish Preps             | 1,755     | 1,848     | 2,048     |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Cereal Preparations             | 1,733     | 1,663     | 2,074     |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Vegetables & Fruits (and Preps) | 7,051     | 7,750     | 8,469     |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Sugar, Sugar Preps, & Honey     | 398       | 425       | 448       |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Coffee, Cocoa, Tea, and Spices  | 689       | 775       | 845       |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Misc. Food Preparations         | 2,144     | 2,367     | 2,700     |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Total                           | 21,778    | 23,412    | 25,580    |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| *Source: Development Planing    |           |           |           |
| Unit, BVI*                      |           |           |           |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+

 

> **Cayman Islands.** Of the four markets studied here, the Cayman
> Islands offer the best prospect for direct shipments by US suppliers.
> However, the consumer food and beverage import market is still
> relatively small (under \$80 million annually), and so Miami-based
> consolidators and wholesalers may offer the most economical means to
> ship to these islands \-- particularly for smaller volume items. In
> fact, importers report that other supplying nations such as New
> Zealand and Australia often use Miami as a transhipment point for
> their exports to the Cayman Islands.
>
> The high degree of the development of the tourism industry and the
> large number of US visitors are reflected in the broad range of US
> food and beverage items available locally. The Cayman Islands import
> large quantities of US items not normally imported in volume by other
> Caribbean markets. US milk exporters, which normally cannot compete
> with New Zealand in the rest of the Carribean, supply over \$1 million
> annually to the Cayman Islands. Annual exports of US beer, wine, and
> soft drinks are also all over \$1 million. US exports of corn chips
> and similar crispy snack foods exceeded \$600 thousand in 1996.
>
> According to US statistics, exports to the Cayman Islands of fresh
> fruits and vegetables are relatively weak, totaling less than \$200
> thousand annually. It is believed that US exports of these products
> (and others) are vastly underestimated by US Customs. One importer in
> the Cayman Islands reports receiving \$60 thousand of fresh fruits and
> vegetables from the US [per]{.underline} [week]{.underline}.
> Therefore, while not appearing to be such from the available data,
> these items are actually a very good market prospect for US suppliers.
>
> While most food and beverage items found in US supermarkets can be
> considered hot prospects for US exporters, the main high volume items
> will continue to be chicken, beef, frozen shrimp and lobster, milk,
> snack foods, breakfast cereals, beer, wine, rum, soft drinks and other
> flavored waters, fruit juices, and baked goods.
>
> A breakdown of general food import categories is provided in Table 7
> (based on key suppliers\' export statistics) and Table 8 (based on
> more dated import statistics from the Cayman Islands).

+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| **[Table           |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| 7]{.underline}**   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
|                    |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| **Cayman Islands   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Consumer Food      |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Product Imports    |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| from Major         |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Developed          |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Suppliers, 1996,   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| US\$000**          |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| Products           | US   | Mkt | EU   | Mkt | Ca   | Mkt | TOTAL |
|                    |      | Sh  |      | Sh  | nada | Sh  |       |
|                    |      | are |      | are |      | are |       |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 02 Meat            | 2    | 94% | 0    | 0%  | 134  | 6%  | 2,186 |
| (f                 | ,052 |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| resh/frozen/dried) |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 03 Fish & Seafood  | 1    | 1   | 3    | 0%  | 0    | 0%  | 1,195 |
| (f                 | ,192 | 00% |      |     |      |     |       |
| resh/frozen/dried) |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 04 Dairy & Eggs    | 1    | 55% | 1    | 45% | 0    | 0%  | 2,368 |
|                    | ,302 |     | ,066 |     |      |     |       |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 07 Vegetables      | 181  | 97% | 0    | 0%  | 6    | 3%  | 187   |
| (f                 |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| resh/frozen/dried) |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 08 Fruit & Nuts    | 53   | 97% | 1    | 3%  | 0    | 0%  | 54    |
| (f                 |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| resh/frozen/dried) |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 09 Coffee, Tea,    | 53   | 93% | 4    | 7%  | 0    | 0%  | 57    |
| Mate & Spices      |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 16 Preparations of | 157  | 93% | 12   | 7%  | 0    | 0%  | 169   |
| Meat and Fish      |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 17 Sugars & Sugar  | 404  | 90% | 19   | 4%  | 25   | 6%  | 448   |
| Confectionary      |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 18 Cocoa & Cocoa   | 188  | 60% | 127  | 40% | 0    | 0%  | 315   |
| Preparations       |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 19 Preparations of | 2    | 96% | 63   | 3%  | 17   | 1%  | 2,093 |
| Cereals            | ,013 |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 20 Preparations of | 2    | 73% | 748  | 23% | 119  | 4%  | 3,240 |
| Vegetables &       | ,373 |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Fruits             |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 21 Miscellaneous   | 4    | 92% | 359  | 8%  | 2    | 0%  | 4,531 |
| Edible             | ,170 |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Preparations       |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 22 Beverages,      | 6    | 54% | 5    | 46% | 50   | 0%  | 1     |
| Spirits & Vinegar  | ,232 |     | ,294 |     |      |     | 1,575 |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| TOTAL              | 20   | 72% | 7    | 27% | 352  | 1%  | 2     |
|                    | ,370 |     | ,697 |     |      |     | 8,419 |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+
| *Source: Official  |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| export data of the |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| US, Canada, and    |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| the EU*            |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
|                    |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| *Note: Data is     |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| considered to be   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| underestimated and |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| does not take into |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| account shipment   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| from these         |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| suppliers that are |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| transhipped        |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| through other      |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Caribbean islands. |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| Market share is    |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| based on imports   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| from these three   |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| suppliers only     |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| (relying on their  |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| export             |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| statistics). Other |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| suppliers are      |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| estimated to       |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| account no more    |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| than 20% to 40% of |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
| total imports.*    |      |     |      |     |      |     |       |
+--------------------+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-------+

 

+--------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
| **[Table           |                                                 |
| 8]{.underline}**   |                                                 |
|                    |                                                 |
| **Cayman Imports   |                                                 |
| of Selected Food   |                                                 |
| Products, 1994     |                                                 |
| (US\$000s)**       |                                                 |
+--------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Vegetables, Fruit, | 10,045                                          |
| Nuts (and preps)   |                                                 |
+--------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Sugar, Sugar Preps | 636                                             |
| & Honey            |                                                 |
+--------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Coffee, Tea,       | 2,481                                           |
| Cocoa, Spices (&   |                                                 |
| preps)             |                                                 |
+--------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Misc Edible        | 501                                             |
| Products           |                                                 |
+--------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Meat and Meat      | 10,829                                          |
| Preps              |                                                 |
+--------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Dairy Products and | 5,897                                           |
| Eggs               |                                                 |
+--------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Fish & Preps       | 3,021                                           |
+--------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Cereals Preps (not | 5,541                                           |
| grains)            |                                                 |
+--------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Beverages (not     | 11,868                                          |
| juices)            |                                                 |
+--------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Total              | 50,820                                          |
+--------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
| *Source: Economics |                                                 |
| and Statistics     |                                                 |
| Office, Govt. of   |                                                 |
| the Cayman         |                                                 |
| Islands*           |                                                 |
+--------------------+-------------------------------------------------+

 

> **Turks and Caicos.** Total consumer food imports are estimated to not
> exceed \$15 million annually. The US is by far the largest supplier,
> followed by the EU (chiefly the UK). Importers report that much lower
> volumes also enter from the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad. Most
> US product is shipped directly from the US; it is not transhipped from
> larger Caribbean markets. Because of the size of the market, US
> producers should use Miami based consolidators and wholesalers to
> enter this market. Higher volume items include chicken, beef, pork,
> frozen tuna, frozen vegetables, beer, soft drinks, canned foods, and
> fresh fruits and vegetables. Imports of each of these items, however,
> is generally below \$400 each annually, often much lower.
>
> A breakdown of general food import categories is provided in Table 9
> (based on key suppliers\' export statistics). Import statistics were
> not available from the Government of the Turks and Caicos.

+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| **Table 9**          |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
|                      |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| **Turks & Caicos     |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| Consumer Food        |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| Product Imports from |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| Major Developed      |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| Suppliers, 1996,     |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| US\$000**            |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| Products             | US  | Mkt | EU  | Mkt | Ca   | Mkt | TOTAL |
|                      |     | Sh  |     | Sh  | nada | Sh  |       |
|                      |     | are |     | are |      | are |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 02 Meat              | 1,  | 99% | 0   | 0%  | 9    | 1%  | 1,040 |
| (fresh/frozen/dried) | 031 |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 03 Fish & Seafood    | 258 | 1   | 0   | 0%  | 0    | 0%  | 258   |
| (fresh/frozen/dried) |     | 00% |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 04 Dairy & Eggs      | 33  | 20% | 129 | 80% | 0    | 0%  | 162   |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 07 Vegetables        | 287 | 96% | 11  | 4%  | 0    | 0%  | 298   |
| (fresh/frozen/dried) |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 08 Fruit & Nuts      | 139 | 1   | 0   | 0%  | 0    | 0%  | 139   |
| (fresh/frozen/dried) |     | 00% |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 09 Coffee, Tea, Mate | 4   | 1   | 0   | 0%  | 0    | 0%  | 4     |
| & Spices             |     | 00% |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 16 Preparations of   | 28  | 1   | 0   | 0%  | 0    | 0%  | 28    |
| Meat and Fish        |     | 00% |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 17 Sugars & Sugar    | 148 | 63% | 78  | 33% | 10   | 4%  | 236   |
| Confectionary        |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 18 Cocoa & Cocoa     | 4   | 6%  | 67  | 94% | 0    | 0%  | 71    |
| Preparations         |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 19 Preparations of   | 103 | 80% | 26  | 20% | 0    | 0%  | 129   |
| Cereals              |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 20 Preparations of   | 232 | 99% | 3   | 1%  | 0    | 0%  | 235   |
| Vegetables & Fruits  |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 21 Miscellaneous     | 1,  | 97% | 45  | 3%  | 2    | 0%  | 1,533 |
| Edible Preparations  | 485 |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| 22 Beverages,        | 925 | 56% | 723 | 44% | 4    | 0%  | 1,652 |
| Spirits & Vinegar    |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| TOTAL                | 4,  | 81% | 1,  | 19% | 26   | 0%  | 5,785 |
|                      | 677 |     | 082 |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+
| *Source: Official    |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| export data of the   |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| US, Canada, and the  |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| EU*                  |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
|                      |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| *Note: Data is       |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| considered to be     |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| underestimated and   |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| does not take into   |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| account shipment     |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| from these suppliers |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| that are transhipped |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| through other        |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| Caribbean islands.   |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| Market share is      |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| based on imports     |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| from these three     |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| suppliers only       |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| (relying on their    |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| export statistics).  |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| Other suppliers are  |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| estimated to account |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| no more than 20% to  |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| 40% of total         |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
| imports.*            |     |     |     |     |      |     |       |
+----------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-------+

 

+------------------+-------------+---------+--------------------------+
| **[Table         |             |         |                          |
| 1                |             |         |                          |
| 0]{.underline}** |             |         |                          |
|                  |             |         |                          |
| **Best Prospects |             |         |                          |
| for US Exporters |             |         |                          |
| to the Caribbean |             |         |                          |
| Dependent        |             |         |                          |
| Territories**    |             |         |                          |
+------------------+-------------+---------+--------------------------+
| Product          | Best        | US      | Notes                    |
|                  | Markets     | Po      |                          |
|                  |             | tential |                          |
+------------------+-------------+---------+--------------------------+
| Frozen Chicken   | All markets | High    | US dominates current     |
|                  |             |         | market; market expected  |
|                  |             |         | to remain strong.        |
+------------------+-------------+---------+--------------------------+
| Beef (fresh or   | Cayman      | High    | No US exports to         |
| frozen)          | Islands     |         | Anguilla reported in     |
|                  |             | Medium  | 1996, although           |
|                  | Turks &     |         | transshipments are       |
|                  | Caicos      | Medium  | possible from            |
|                  |             |         | neighboring islands.     |
|                  | BVI         |         |                          |
+------------------+-------------+---------+--------------------------+
| Pork (fresh or   | Turks &     | Medium  | All other markets        |
| frozen)          | Caicos      |         | imported less than \$50  |
|                  |             |         | thousand of pork from    |
|                  |             |         | the US in 1996.          |
+------------------+-------------+---------+--------------------------+
| Frozen Seafood   | Turks &     | Medium  | Mostly frozen tuna to    |
|                  | Caicos      |         | Turks & Caicos. Best     |
|                  |             | High    | prospects to Caymans are |
|                  | Cayman      |         | frozen shrimp and        |
|                  | Islands     |         | lobster.                 |
+------------------+-------------+---------+--------------------------+
| Mi               | Cayman      | High    | With the exception of    |
| lk/Cheese/Butter | Islands     |         | the Cayman Islands, the  |
|                  |             |         | US is only a minor       |
|                  |             |         | supplier of these items. |
|                  |             |         | Supplies from EU and New |
|                  |             |         | Zealand dominate         |
|                  |             |         | throughout the           |
|                  |             |         | Caribbean. May be room   |
|                  |             |         | for increased exports by |
|                  |             |         | US suppliers if they can |
|                  |             |         | compete with these       |
|                  |             |         | sources on price.        |
+------------------+-------------+---------+--------------------------+
| Fresh/Frozen     | Cayman      | High    | Agricultural production  |
| Fruits and       | Islands     |         | very low in all islands. |
| Vegetables       |             | High    | Regional exporters can   |
|                  | BVI         |         | only supply limited      |
|                  |             | Medium  | varieties. US is very    |
|                  | Turks &     |         | strong in fresh          |
|                  | Caicos      |         | temperate fruits and     |
|                  |             |         | vegetables, as well as   |
|                  |             |         | frozen product.          |
+------------------+-------------+---------+--------------------------+
| Other Processed  | Cayman      | High    | Based on size, the best  |
| Food Products    | Islands     |         | market for all products  |
|                  |             | Medium  | is the Cayman Islands,   |
|                  | BVI         |         | which import sizeable    |
|                  |             | Medium  | quantities of items such |
|                  | Turks &     |         | as corn chips & other    |
|                  | Caicos      | Low     | snack foods, cereals,    |
|                  |             |         | pastry items, canned     |
|                  | Anguilla    |         | fruits & vegetables,     |
|                  |             |         | condiments, and other    |
|                  |             |         | processed food items.    |
|                  |             |         | All markets, however,    |
|                  |             |         | have US-sourced items on |
|                  |             |         | supermarket shelves.     |
|                  |             |         | Lower market size        |
|                  |             |         | prospects given for the  |
|                  |             |         | other three markets is   |
|                  |             |         | indicative of the size   |
|                  |             |         | of the market for        |
|                  |             |         | individual items, not    |
|                  |             |         | for all items combined.  |
+------------------+-------------+---------+--------------------------+
| Alcoholic        | Cayman      | High    | Beer, sparkling &        |
| Beverages        | Islands     |         | non-sparkling wine, rum. |
|                  |             | Medium  |                          |
|                  | Turks &     |         | Beer.                    |
|                  | Caicos      | High    |                          |
|                  |             |         | Beer, wine, rum.         |
|                  | BVI         |         |                          |
+------------------+-------------+---------+--------------------------+
| Non-Alcoholic    | Cayman      | High    | Carbonated soft drinks,  |
| Beverages        | Islands     |         | flavored waters, fruit   |
|                  |             | Medium  | juice.                   |
|                  | Turks &     |         |                          |
|                  | Caicos      | High    | Carbonated soft drinks,  |
|                  |             |         | bottle water, fruit      |
|                  | BVI         |         | juice.                   |
|                  |             |         |                          |
|                  |             |         | Carbonated soft drinks,  |
|                  |             |         | fruit juice.             |
+------------------+-------------+---------+--------------------------+
| *Key for Market  |             |         |                          |
| Size Potential:  |             |         |                          |
| High (over \$500 |             |         |                          |
| thousand),       |             |         |                          |
| Medium (\$100    |             |         |                          |
| thousand to      |             |         |                          |
| \$500 thousand), |             |         |                          |
| Low (under \$100 |             |         |                          |
| thousand)*       |             |         |                          |
+------------------+-------------+---------+--------------------------+

 

**Appendix 1**

**Representative Tariff Rates**

  --------- ----------------- -------------- ---------------- --------------
                              **Rate of Duty                  
                              In**                            

  **HS      **PRODUCT**       **ANGUILLA**   **BRITISH VIRGIN **CAYMAN
  CODE**                                     ISLANDS**        ISLANDS**

  02.01     Beef, fresh       5%             5 %              15%

  02.02     Beef, frozen      5%             5 %              15 %

  02.07     Chicken, frozen   Free           Free             Free

  04.01     Milk, whole       5%             5 %              Free

  04.05     Butter            20             Free             20 %

  04.06     Cheese            5%             5 %              Free

  07.01     Potatoes          Free           5 %              Free

  07.05     Lettuce           5%             Free             15 %

  07.10     Vegetables, mixed 5%             5 %              15 %
            frozen                                            

  08.05     Oranges, fresh    Free           5 %              15 %

  08.08     Apples, fresh     Free           5 %              15 %

  16.02     Beef, canned      15%            5 %              20 %

  16.04     Tuna, canned      15%            5 %              20 %

  19.04     Breakfast Cereal  15%            10 %             Free

  20.05     Peas, canned      15%            5 %              20 %

  20.09     Apple Juice       5%             10 %             20 %

  21.03     Tomato Ketchup    20%            10 %             20 %

  21.03     Mayonnaise        20%            10 %             20 %

  21.06     Corn Chips        20%            5 %              20 %

  22.03     Beer, malt        30%            U.S.\$1.10 per   EC\$1.50 per
                                             gal.             liter

  22.04     Wine              30%            U.S.\$1.20 per   EC\$3.00 per
                                             gal.             liter
  --------- ----------------- -------------- ---------------- --------------

> *Sources: Anguilla, BVI, and Caymans Customs Departments*