The onus has always been on the traditional extended family to provide its own immediate social safety net in times of economic stress. Such needs may be supplemented by remittances from family members working abroad. Clearly, tourism growth alone does not provide a sufficient basis for a development strategy. There is a marked seasonality of tourist arrivals associated with the northern winters. In recent years, banana exports have dwindled due to the difficulties of controlling leaf spot in the rugged terrain.
Spices face competition from Indonesia.
Cocoa plantations attacked by the pink mealy bug, could perhaps be rehabilitated, but young people no longer regard farming as a particularly satisfying career. Exports of fruit and vegetables to regional markets have been banned because of fears of spreading the pink mealy bug. The cruise ships that bring tourists to the natural harbour of St George's stock up with food in Miami. Grenada's food import bill continues to grow, as consumer tastes shift towards international diets. Clearly, there is scope for providing from local resources a greater proportion of the food and drink consumed by visitors.