Apr 2012 Financial News

GK embarks on pepper growing

Apr 03, 2012

GraceKennedy says it has embarked on a pepper growing project at its Bernard Lodge property, which also houses its 236,000 square foot distribution centre, in order meet demand while increasing output of hot pepper sauces.

The conglomerate, which claims it is the nation's largest producer of pepper sauces, estimates that raw material input for its pepper-based products (hot pepper sauces and jerk seasoning) sourced from local farmers, amounts to some $64.4 million annually.

The project will grow two varieties of peppers — Montpelier Red and West Indian Red.

Montpelier Red is a unique variety of pepper which is expected to be hotter and have a better flavour than the West Indian Red, a variety of pepper grown commercially in Jamaica from seeds sourced out of Trinidad.

Both varieties of peppers will be processed as pepper mash at GraceAgro Processors in Hounslow, St Elizabeth.

The company has also partnered with the Correctional Services Production Company to grow five acres of peppers at its Tamarind Farm facility located across the road from the Distribution Centre.

The other crops that will be produced on the Distribution Centre farm are corn, papayas and pumpkins.


Source:
Jamaica Observer
Tuesday April 3, 2012

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/GK-embarks-on-pepper-growing-#ixzz1qzz86nVs