Trinidad & Tobago’s agro-processing industry offers lucrative, niche investment opportunities particularly for manufacturers requiring inputs of unique, indigenous agro-products. Increasing local, regional and international demand for specialty food products, access to agro-processing facilities and export markets all make this country an ideal destination for value-added food manufacturing.
Quick Facts
Trinidad and Tobago is 1 of 8 countries certified in exclusive fine/flavour cocoa
1 of 2 International gene banks for cocoa resides in Trinidad and Tobago
#1 Hottest pepper in the world (Moruga Scorpion) grows naturally in Trinidad and Tobago
5 of 20 of the hottest peppers in the world thrive in Trinidad and Tobago
75% of intra-regional exports come from Trinidad and Tobago
Main Crops & Exports
Trinidad & Tobago’s major agriculture export partners are United States, Chile, Argentina, Spain, Dominican Republic, Barbados, Colombia, Guyana, Jamaica, Netherlands and Suriname. Our main agricultural crops are cocoa, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables and poultry. Important export products include citrus fruits, tomatoes, cocoa, sugar, coffee, and cut flowers.
Innovation
The Cocoa Research Centre
The Centre includes one of two international gene banks that saves wild cocoa varieties found in tropical rainforests and cocoa-growing areas from extinction. The International Cocoa Gene Bank collects the conserved trees which are vital to the breeding of improved varieties for thousands of cocoa cultivators.
Key commercial commodities in Trinidad & Tobago with export market potential include cocoa, hot pepper and pineapple.
Award-winning Fine/Flavour Cocoa
Trinidad & Tobago’s agro-processing industry offers lucrative, niche investment opportunities particularly for manufacturers requiring inputs of unique, indigenous agro-products. Increasing local, regional and international demand for specialty food products, access to agro-processing facilities and export markets all make this country an ideal destination for value-added food manufacturing.
- Trinidad & Tobago is one of 8 exclusive producers of fine/flavour cocoa in the world. (The International Cocoa Agreement, 1993).
- Fine/flavour cocoa accounts for just 5% of world production.
- Salon du Chocolat Award – La Reunion and San Juan are the only estates in the Caribbean to have won this award.
- Trinidad and Tobago has won over 17 Cacao of Excellence awards since the inception of the competition in 2009.
- Our unique Trinidad select hybrids of Criollo, Trinitario, and Forastero fetch a premium price on the world market.
- Trinidad & Tobago’s cocoa is in high demand worldwide by renowned chocolatiers.
- Trinidad & Tobago is home to one of the world's longest continuous cocoa variety breeding programmes, initiated in 1930.
Cocoa Offtake Agreement Opportunities
Opportunities exist for offtake agreements with groups of micro-lot processors to export cocoa to the niche markets.
Several estates are available for sale, and producers can benefit from access to planting material from the Government’s successful cocoa breeding programme as well as the extensive technical support services for cocoa estate management, establishment and rehabilitation offered by the Cocoa Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (CDCTTL).
For newly established estates, cocoa trees begin producing after three years, enabling investors to recoup their investment within the first five years of production, with the trees continuing to produce good yields up to the age of 30 years and beyond.
Cocoa value-added Product
There is significant potential for lucrative investments targeting high end chocolate markets with development of bespoke premium chocolate, as well as international distribution of outstanding chocolate products from local artisans. The complex flavour profiles of Trinitario beans are the beginnings of outstanding gourmet couverture, as well as semi-finished cocoa products such as cocoa powder, butter and nibs, suitable for inputs into the bakery, beverage and personal care industries.
Cocoa value-added Product
The value proposition for cocoa products spans the entire production value chain. Even the by-products of cocoa production, such as the husks can be made into organic fertilizers.
Cocoa value-added Product
Hottest Naturally Growing Pepper in the World
- Trinidad & Tobago's Moruga Scorpion pepper was rated the hottest naturally growing pepper in the world at over 2m Scoville units (SHUs) by the New Mexico State University’s Chile Pepper Institute in February 2012.
- Each pepper contains as much capsaicin as 25ml of police-grade pepper spray.
- The Trinidad Scorpion Butch-T pepper (>1.5m SHUs) ranks just below the Moruga Scorpion pepper.
- Other varieties of hot pepper in T&T include the 7-Pot (800,000-1m SHUs), the Douglah and Habanero (>500,000 SHUs).
Cocoa value-added Product
There is significant potential for lucrative investments targeting high end chocolate markets with development of bespoke premium chocolate, as well as international distribution of outstanding chocolate products from local artisans. The complex flavour profiles of Trinitario beans are the beginnings of outstanding gourmet couverture, as well as semi-finished cocoa products such as cocoa powder, butter and nibs, suitable for inputs into the bakery, beverage and personal care industries.
The value proposition for cocoa products spans the entire production value chain. Even the by-products of cocoa production, such as the husks can be made into organic fertilizers.
Hottest Naturally Growing Pepper in the World
- Trinidad & Tobago's Moruga Scorpion pepper was rated the hottest naturally growing pepper in the world at over 2m Scoville units (SHUs) by the New Mexico State University’s Chile Pepper Institute in February 2012.
- Each pepper contains as much capsaicin as 25ml of police-grade pepper spray.
- The Trinidad Scorpion Butch-T pepper (>1.5m SHUs) ranks just below the Moruga Scorpion pepper.
- Other varieties of hot pepper in T&T include the 7-Pot (800,000-1m SHUs), the Douglah and Habanero (>500,000 SHUs).
Investment in Natural and Processed Hot Pepper
There is a growing demand for hot peppers. Major export markets for hot peppers are the United States of America (USA), Canada and the European Union (EU). The Trinidad Scorpion and Moruga Red peppers are both cultivated widely by local farmers who export both varieties. Joint ventures or partnerships can be established with local manufacturers or farmers for the increased cultivation and processing of hot peppers to meet international demand. Additional investments include expansion of holding sizes to constantly supply export markets and processing ventures as seen by the import volumes and the growing demand for fresh hot peppers produced locally
Investment in Cultivation
Opportunities lie in the processing of hot pepper by value-added manufacturing companies which export to international markets. Key products that can be derived are pepper flakes, pepper sauce, pepper mash and pepper pickle. Pepper extracts (Capsaicin) are also used in pharmaceuticals (to alleviate pain), cosmetics, and as an ingredient in products for self-defense.
Processed Pineapple
There is an opportunity for investors to capitalize on the demand for processed pineapple. Trinidad and Tobago’s food industry imports over 1,000 tonnes of processed pineapple, while 85% of the fresh form is consumed and exported throughout CARICOM. Processed pineapple imported in the canned form includes chunks, rings, bits, syrup and concentrate which are consumed widely by the local hotel and restaurant industry, fast-food industry and households.
Why Trinidad and Tobago for Agro-processing?
Low Business Costs
Low operational processing costs and transportation costs result in competitively priced crop outputs on the open market.
Educated, Skilled Workforce
Trinidad & Tobago has an attractive policy for tertiary education. The agriculture industry benefits from skilled labour in Aquaculture, Fishing, Food Preparation, Farm Management, Crop Production, Livestock Production, General Agriculture, Fish and Fish Processing, Food and Beverage manufacturing, and other key disciplines.
Local and Regional Demand
There is a large and increasing demand for goods made from fresh, organic and local produce to serve the local and regional markets in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Developed Industry
Mature manufacturing and logistics industries exist in Trinidad & Tobago which would facilitate the export and off-take of local produce. There are existing food and beverage, and printing and packaging clusters in Trinidad & Tobago.
Market Access to almost 1 billion Consumers
Through established trade agreements, businesses in Trinidad & Tobago enjoy preferential market access to almost 1 billion people worldwide.
Access to Research & Development
Investors have access to R&D conducted by the following organizations that are established to identify lucrative business opportunities: Global Trinidad and Tobago, The University of Trinidad and Tobago. The University of the West Indies, Faculty of Food and Agriculture Cocoa Research Centre, Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), Sugar Cane Feeds Centre, Seafood Industry Development Company.
Low Business Costs
Low operational processing costs and transportation costs result in competitively priced crop outputs on the open market.
Educated, Skilled Workforce
Trinidad & Tobago has an attractive policy for tertiary education. The agriculture industry benefits from skilled labour in Aquaculture, Fishing, Food Preparation, Farm Management, Crop Production, Livestock Production, General Agriculture, Fish and Fish Processing, Food and Beverage manufacturing, and other key disciplines.
Local and Regional Demand
There is a large and increasing demand for goods made from fresh, organic and local produce to serve the local and regional markets in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Developed Industry
Mature manufacturing and logistics industries exist in Trinidad & Tobago which would facilitate the export and off-take of local produce. There are existing food and beverage, and printing and packaging clusters in Trinidad & Tobago.
Market Access to almost 1 billion Consumers
Through established trade agreements, businesses in Trinidad & Tobago enjoy preferential market access to almost 1 billion people worldwide.
Access to Research & Development
Investors have access to R&D conducted by the following organizations that are established to identify lucrative business opportunities: Global Trinidad and Tobago, The University of Trinidad and Tobago. The University of the West Indies, Faculty of Food and Agriculture Cocoa Research Centre, Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), Sugar Cane Feeds Centre, Seafood Industry Development Company.
Incentives
Sector Specific
Benefits include a rebate on a percentage of total cost, up to the maximum dollar value indicated in vehicles, water for agriculture, land preparation, soil conservation, machinery and equipment, agro processing, crops, security, waste management, protected agriculture systems, integrated pest management, post-harvest and marketing, marine fisheries, soil amelioration, livestock, aquaculture, new farmers and guaranteed prices in cocoa, coffee, rice, rice seed and milk.
Fiscal Incentives
Under the Fiscal Incentives Act Chapter 85:01, large scale manufacturing or processing companies established in T&T can receive an exemption from paying customs duties, Value Added Tax and Withholding Taxes on the costs related to the production of approved products and or services.
Import Duty Concessions
Manufacturing and food processing enterprises are allowed duty free treatment on their raw materials, machinery and equipment and, in some cases, packaging material based upon the provisions of the country’s Customs Act.
Available Commercial Space
Agro-processing manufacturers utilizing advanced technologies have access to various real estate options throughout T&T, including commercial land space at e TecK’s Moruga Agro-processing and Light Industrial Park.
