A Jewel of the Caribbean
The caribbean islands of Trinidad and Barbados claim the most medium- to large-scale processors of meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, pasta, bakery, confectionery, and dairy products. They also process and package convenience foods, edible oils, and fats.
Several factors drive the growth of food processing in Trinidad and Barbados — relatively high standards of living and education, increased exposure to other regions, more women in the workforce, the pursuit of a healthier society, and an increase in foreign direct investment.
Food processing is the largest non-energy manufacturing sector in the two-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, contributing over 50 percent of total manufactured output. About 9,000 people are employed by 424 firms, accounting for approximately 3 percent of the total GDP (gross domestic product) of $13.7 billion. The islands also have 16 fish processing plants.
Barbados has 192 food processing firms, the largest employing manufacturing sector in the island. In 2005, food processing accounted for roughly 3 percent of the total island GDP of $3.1billion. The firms also account for 35.7 percent of the export earnings of Barbados.
reproduced courtesy of USDA
These caribbean markets produce a greater percentage of caribbean foods including caribbean spices and caribbean seasoning of this region(editor)