The Bahamas’ Top Thirty

Crops
By Mr. Leslie Minns
For Bahamas Agricultural Producers Association (BAPA)

Product of Andros at the Agriculture Expo 2007

The Top 30 Crops
When we speak of imports it is
important to understand that crops are
imported primarily as fresh, however
the fresh crop is a primary product. As
the primary product or the raw
material, that crop it must be
understood maybe converted from a
raw material to a value-added product.
This project seeks to understand and
identify those crops that offer the best
potential to penetrate the Bahamian
market. What we would like to show is
the full potential for these crops. Firstly
there is the fresh product and secondly
the value-added products that may
come from the fresh product. Some
examples of value-added products from
fresh fruit & vegetables are: frozen,
preserved/ dried, canned (whole or
pieces), juice, paste, puree, marmalade,
jams, and jellies.
In 2006 the total import value of these 30
crops (as a fresh product) was estimated
to be worth B$31,201,006 dollars. By
2007 the import value for these had
increased by B$700,126 dollars an
increase of 2.2% to B$31,901,132 dollars.
The value-added products for the same
crops in 2006 was worth B$12,665,199
dollars, by 2007 this value increased by
B$1,862,949 dollars or 14.71% to
B$14,528,148 dollars.
Therefore in 2006 these 30 crops, fresh
and value-added products had an
estimated import value of B$43,866,205
dollars. The total value in 2007 for these
same fresh and value-added products
had an estimated value of B$46,429,280
dollars an increase of B$2,563,075
dollars or 5.8%^.
This therefore means if the Bahamas
were to grow, all, the fresh product for
these 30 crops we would stand to earn
as much as B$31.5 – B$31.9 million
dollars per annum. Another B$12.7 –
B$14.5 million dollars could be realized
from their value-added products.
Therefore between B$43.86 – B$46.43
million dollars could be injected into the
Bahamian economy. This earning would
translate into a savings on our import
bill thus lowering our Food Bill and
increasing our foreign exchange
reserves.
The savings/earning from these crops
may lead to investments into the other
78 crops, thus saving or retaining even
more of our money. With more money
in the economy we would be able to
build agricultural industries, to increase
employment, increase wealth and
decrease dependence on imports. With
each passing year all countries not just
the Bahamas will experience a growing
population, Agricultural Land
shrinkage and water shortages. By the
year 2050 it is estimated that the world
population will increase by three (3)
billion people.
The Bahamas must begin to produce,
now, if we are to have a chance of
feeding ourselves or if we simply want
to make money. Conditions for
Agriculture are ideal in the Bahamas,
we have sunshine 365 days a year, we
have a relatively small population, we
enjoy close to five million visitors per
year, we have knowledgeable farmers,
and we have knowledgeable buyers
who are experts in supplying the
demand for this market. Our buyers
understand agriculture and know
quality. The Bahamas is blessed with
more land than Jamaica, and although
our land is not as fertile, it’s better than
Israel. Israel must produce from deserts
and pump water from miles below the
ground. No such problem in the
Bahamas although we lack rivers, we
have a relatively high water table.
While in the Bahamas we do not have
much arable land, we do have some, it is
also possible to improve our soils and if
that fails we may also look to green
houses and hydro phonics. Today’s
agricultural technology is opening new
doors for agricultural production.
The time is ripe for growers and buyers
to work as partners, growers produce,
buyers distribute, the money they earn
and save can only benefit the Bahamas.
We must cease our dependence on
imported food, as the cost of that food
will only continue to go up. Of the 30
crops identified sixteen (16) more than
half, have a potential to be million dollar
industries.
Onion, the #1 ranked crop, saw the
value of imports increase over half a
million dollars from 2006 (B$2,303,714)
to 2007 (B$2,852,197). During that
period both quantity and value
increased, in 2007 we imported
5,262,948 (lbs.) pounds while in 2006 we
imported 4,585,969 lbs. The price from
2006 to 2007 also increased by two (2)
cents per pound.
Irish potatoes, the #2 ranked crop, has a
potential to earn $3.4 million dollars
annually as a fresh product and up to
B$7.0 million dollars as a frozen or
prepared product, making it the crop
with the greatest potential, over ten
million dollars per annum.
In 2007, the Bahamas imported almost
$4.0 million dollars worth of Lettuce,
while in 2006 we imported $3.5 million
all in its fresh form. Types of lettuce
imported include: iceberg, romaine and
head.
Tomato, a favourite, was one of a few
crops where the import value decreased;
this is attributed to the success of
tomato production in green houses. In
2006 the value of tomato imports was
B$2,962,731 by 2007 it decreased by
$598,774 or 20.2% to B$2,365,957. The
value of imported by products of
tomato increased B$82,059 or 6.1% from
B$1,341,295 in 2006 to B$1,423,354 in
2007^.
The other crops with a potential to become million dollar industries are:

Table 1^
Crop Rank Import Value Import Value
2006 2007
Carrot 5 1,044,106 1,211,915
Sweet Pepper 7 1,664,900 1,574,848
Lemon 12 1,051,441 859,532
Orange 14 4,969,256 5,545,036
Plantain 15 1,834,556 1,785,831
Grapefruit 16 1,075,225 1,048,720
Lime (Persian & Key) 20 2,090,936 2,459,110
Watermelon 21 1,109,836 485,943
Corn 22 1,651,794 1,885,379
Banana 24 2,439,283 2,509,408
Cantaloupe 25 1,043,949 1,145,558
Broccoli 27 1,048,853 1,189,438

Of the top 30 crops identified, Cooking Thyme did not appear to have any imports; we
were unable to find any fresh or value-added products for 2006 and 2007. Another crop
which seemed not to have an import was Key Lime.

Sweet Corn in Abaco, Lenny Etienne

The remaining crops that have been identified as having the best potential to penetrate
the local market are:

Table 2
Crop Rank Import Value Import Value
2006 2007
Cabbage 6 678,385 841,811
Sweet Potato 18 541,419 427,836
Celery 11 317,287 375,408
Cucumber 13 432,599 462,584
Mango 26 289,460 316,638
Cassava 28 253,050 275,398
Garlic 19 268,514 240,510
Papaya 23 155,269 171,233
Pigeon Peas ** 9 103,281 238,210
Hot Pepper 8 100,280 87,040
Goat Pepper 17 153,378 82,546
Okra 30 130,113 141,870

** Pigeon Peas: In 2006 we imported $33,456 worth of fresh peas and $69,825 worth of
prepared. In 2007 fresh was worth $183.00 and prepared was valued at $238,027.00.

All of the above crops show they have the potential to earn more than $100,000 per
annum with the exception of Pigeon Peas, although ranked high at #9. In this list of
twelve (12) crops only one is a tree, the remaining vegetables, condiments and tubers
have a history of being produced in this country^.

Fruit and Vegetable display at the Agriculture Expo 2009

Local Production

The Census of Agriculture in 1978 recorded 20 crops grown in the country at that time,
by 1994 that number had increased by 68 to 88 crops an increase of 340%. The Crop
profile in 2006/07 lists 108 crops, an increase of 20 crops or 22.7%. Table #3 gives a
breakdown by crop category for these selected years.

Table #3: Crops by Category for Selected Years

Category 1978 1994 Change 2006 Change

Legumes 2 8 +6 6 -2
Vegetable 5 22 +17 24 +2
Condiments 2 9 +7 20 +11
Soft Fruit 1 6 +5 6 nil
Cereal 1 4 +3 5 +1
Tubers 2 7 +5 6 -1
Tree Crops 7 32 +25 39 +7
Others nil nil nil 2 +2
Total 20 88 68 108 20
% Change 340% 22.7%
Source: Department of Agriculture, selected years, compiled by Mr. Leslie Minns
(Senior Marketing Officer, Agricultural Economist)

The Bahamian farmers have become more diverse, they have become more
knowledgeable and are willing to grow and cultivate more varieties of agricultural
crops.

Preschoolers visit Screen house at GRAC Tomatoes at Lucayan Tropical

In 1978 we reported for legumes, pigeon
peas and bean, the number of legumes
has increase by four, Kidney bean, Lima
bean, Cow peas and peanut.
Vegetables grown in 1978 included
cabbage, cucumber, pumpkin, sweet
pepper and tomato for a total of five. In
1994 we reported growing 17 more
varieties and by 2006 that number
increased by 2. Therefore between 1978
and 2006 the numbers of vegetables
grown in the Bahamas increased by 19
bring it to a compliment of 24 varieties
(see the crop profile).
Condiments the 1978 census reported
two condiments onion and hot pepper
Vegetable Display at Agriculture Expo 2009
the Bahamas now (2006) grows a total of
20 condiments, 18 more (see the crop
profile).
Soft fruit in 1978 we reported growing
just one watermelon, since 1994 we have
added cantaloupe, honeydew, papaya,
pineapple and strawberry, five more.
Cereal in 1978 corn was the only cereal
captured by the census since then
Alfalfa, benny, guinea corn and
sorghum have been reported.
There were two tubers in 1978 dasheen
and Irish potatoes, since then cassava,
eddoes, sweet potato and yam have
been reported.
Tree crops in 1978 the census captured 7
tree crops avocado, banana, grapefruit,
key lime, mango, orange and plantain.
By 2006 that number has increased by 32
more varieties (see the crop profile).
Source: Agriculture Census 1978/1994,
Department of Agriculture
Crop Production

While the number of crops in 1978 was only 20, the quantity of crop produced could not
be matched in 1994, 2004 nor 2006. In 1978 the Bahamas produced 103,386,742 (lbs.)
pounds of agricultural produce from 20 crops. While in 1994 the country produced
76,203,051 lbs. from 88 crops, the Farmers register of 943 farmers in 2006 recorded 108
crops producing 57,079,926 lbs.

The table below records production quantities for four (4) selected years 1978, 1994,
2004 and 2006, the significance of these years are: 1978 & 1994 were census years, 2004
represents the last crop report before the Farmers register and 2006 represents the crop
estimate for the first year using the farmers register. The top 20 crop by selected years is
as follows:

Table # 4: Top Twenty (20) Crops for Selected Years (1978, 1994, 2004 & 2006).

1978 1994 2004 2006

Avocado Avocado Avocado Avocado
Banana Banana Banana Banana
Bean Cabbage Broccoli Cabbage
Cabbage Cantaloupe Cabbage Cassava
Cassava Cassava Grapefruit Coconut
Corn Coconut Lemon Grapefruit
Cucumber Corn Lettuce Persian Lime
Grapefruit Cucumber Persian Lime Mango
Irish Potato Grapefruit Mango Neem
Key Lime Irish Potato Onion Orange
Mango Lemon Orange Hot Pepper
Onion Lettuce Goat Pepper Pineapple
Orange Persian Lime Pumpkin Plantain
Hot Pepper Mango Sugar Cane Pumpkin
Pigeon Peas Onion Sweet Pepper Scarlet Plum
Plantain Orange Sweet Potato Sour Orange
Pumpkin Pumpkin Tangelo Sweet Pepper
Sweet Pepper Sweet Pepper Tangerine Sweet Potato
Tomato Sweet Potato Tomato Tomato
Watermelon Tomato Watermelon Watermelon
Watermelon
Source: Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Census and selected years compiled by
Mr. Leslie Minns (Senior Marketing Officer, Agricultural Economist)

From these four lists the crops that appear in each are:

1. Avocado 2. Banana
3. Cabbage 4. Grapefruit
5. Mango 6. Orange
7. Pumpkin 8. Sweet Pepper
9. Tomato 10. Watermelon

The crops that appear in 3 of these lists:

1. Onion 2. Cassava

Over the past five years the Produce Exchange has played less of a role in marketing
Agricultural Produce, for these years their budget was B$1.7 million dollars. Their
budget is now (2008 – 2009) B$ 1.525 million dollars.

In 2003 the Packing Houses purchased a quantity of 4,350,037 lbs. of produce valued at
B$1.634 million dollars that was the highest volume of produce purchases for the five
year period. In 2005 they purchased the least volume of 1,950,007 lbs. valued at B$ 0.993
million dollars. The remainder of produce is sold through formal marketing channels,
by direct shipments, used, stolen or given away.

Formal marketing channel are farmers who either sell to wholesalers themselves or
market through a middleman for example F & V sales Abaco.

Direct Shipment farmers bring their produce on the mailboat to Potter’s Cay sell from
the boat or hire a truck to take them around.

From the census of agriculture 1994 used, stolen and given away were categories used
to record crop production.

Source: Packing House purchases, Department of Agriculture, compiled by Mr. Leslie

Minns (Senior Marketing Officer, Agricultural Economist)
The Food Bill

The food bill, how can we reduce it? But more importantly, how much is it? There is
much speculation on the value of the food bill, we have heard thru the print media,
radio and television that our food bill is estimated to be around B$ 500 million dollars.
A quick look at the Import Trade Statistics published by the Department of Statistics^
that the value of Imported Agricultural products is around B$ 467 million. This figure is
derived by adding the totals of Sections 1 thru 4:

Table #5: Section (2007)

1. Live Animals Animal Products 128,486,134

2. Vegetable products 93,128,916
3. Animal or Vegetable, etc. 9,461,750
4. Prepared Food Stuffs 235,567,787
Total 466,644,587

However included in these numbers are fish, plants and tobacco (non-food items), but
to us these are agricultural products less fish, have a potential to not only be produced
in this country, but reduce this total as well.

From the above table, the import of Vegetable products (Section 2) we see that from
1997-2007 the import of these products has risen from 50,704,177 (1997) to 93,128,916
(2007). An increase of 42,424,739 over ten years, that is an average of $42.4 million per
year. In 2006 we imported 81,054,514, therefore 2007 increased by 12.07 million or by
14.89%. The largest increased in imported vegetable occurred in 2000 when we
imported 72,986,313 worth of vegetable, however the year before 1999 we imported
59,021,594 worth an increase of $13.96 million or 23.6%^.

Therefore the Value of Fish, Food and Agricultural Products for the Bahamas in 2007 we
estimate to be B$578.152 million dollars Table #6.
Lettuce being grown at Lucayan Tropical Micro-greens being grown at Goodfellow Farms

Pineapple Fields in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera Mango at Carey’s Farm

Conchy Joe’s Hot Sauce Goats on Long Island

Cabbage in Andros Pigs in Grand Bahama

Table #6: Value of Fish, Food and Agricultural Products

Value of Fish, Food and Agricultural Products

Section 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2006 2007
Imports
1 37.68 85.162 85.946 94.06 111.259 128.48 139.14
2 50.7 59.021 66.061 65.332 81.054 93.13 102.86
3 5.955 6.037 5.584 7.054 8.66 9.46 10.67
4 149.43 176.139 188.604 195.531 214.963 235.56 250.25
Total 273.765 326.359 346.195 361.977 415.936 466.63 502.92

Imports Agriculture Fisheries Total

1997 273.765 55.576 14.08 343.421
1999 326.359 46.348 12.359 385.066
2001 346.195 62.158 10.643 418.996
2003 361.977 47.959 1.787 420.723
2005 415.936 71.607 7.102 494.645
2007 502.920 72.013 3.219 578.152

Sources: Department of Statistics, Department of Agriculture and Department of

Fisheries

So what is the food bill from where we sit the food bill is the value of all food
consumed, be it imported or produced locally. However we are interested in reducing
the import of food. Therefore the Food Bill is the value of Food Imported: the value of
imported food in 2007 was B$401,483,139 dollars^.
CROPS IDENTIFIED COMPARED TO
OTHER RECOMMENDATIOS.
In the previous chapter we saw the 30
Identified Crops the value of the fresh
product imported and the value of by
products imported. In 2008 and 2009
there were two studies done on crops to
identify those which had potential to
penetrate the local market.
The first was the Rapid Assessment in
that study there were four vegetables,
two fruit, two condiments and citrus.
The Citrus identified were orange and
tangerine, lime was also mentioned but
there was no distinction made whether
it was Key or Persian. Other Bahamian
Citrus not mentioned but that we felt
should have been were lemon,
grapefruit, tangelo and sour orange.
The second study/recommendations
were identified at the National
Economic Summit and that group of
Bahamian Professionals came up with
30 crops also. Both the Rapid
Assessment of Farming Practices and
the National Economic Summit were
compared to the 30 crops identified by
this survey.
Rapid Assessment of Farming Practices
Therefore for this component of the
program we will focus on Crops, (Page 10
of the Rapid Assessment) identified these
crops as the top 10, Tomatoes, Watermelon,
Sweet Pepper, Banana, Onion, Hot pepper,
Pumpkin, Cabbage, Limes and Citrus (a
grouping including Oranges, Tangerine,
Grapefruit, Sour Orange, Tangelo, Key
Lime and Persian Lime). The identification
of these crops would give us compliment of
15 crops later in this paper we will examine
these crops versus those of the survey.
The 30 crops identified by this survey
when compared to the Rapid
Assessment revealed the following
(Table #7)
From our understanding of the RA we
identified fifteen crops eleven (11) or
73% could be, found in the 30 crops
identified. Those not found and their
rank, were pumpkin #35, tangerine #42,
tangelo #57 and sour orange #55.
Seven of those eleven were listed in the 30 identified crops which were considered as
having potential to be million dollar industries.

Table #7:
Onion #1 Tomato #4 Sweet Pepper #7
Orange #14 Lime #20 Watermelon #21
Banana #24

Onion shed in Abaco

1. Cabbage #6 has a potential to earn over six hundred thousand per annum.

2. Lemon #12 and grapefruit #16 have a potential to earn over three hundred thousand
per annum.

3. Tangerine #42 is worth between $150,000 to over $200,000 per annum. This crop has
the potential to be considered in the top 30.

4. Pumpkin and Tangelo fell below fifty thousand dollars per annum.

5. Hot pepper the remaining crop shows a potential of between eighty thousand to one
hundred thousand dollars per annum.

All fifteen crops can be grown successfully in the Bahamas. The RA listed it TOP 10
PRODUCE, citrus was listed as one but showed two types of citrus orange and
tangerine. Another citrus lime was listed therefore in order to complete the citrus family
we added lemon, grapefruit, tangelo and sour orange. Of these fifteen crops pumpkin,
tangelo and sour orange may be considered the least valuable all remaining crops (all
12) show potential to penetrate the Bahamian Market.
CROPS RECOMMENDED BY THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC SUMMIT (NES)

NES recommended 30 crops of those twenty one (21) were identified in the top 30 of
this survey eight (8) were not. (Table #8)

Table #8: NES crops in the Top 30 Identified

Broccoli #27 Cabbage #6 Carrot #5

Cassava #28 Celery #11 Corn #22
Cucumber #13 Garlic #19 Lettuce #3
Okra #30 Onion #1 Peas #9 **
Hot Pepper #8 Potato # 2 or 18 Tomato #4
Banana #4 Grapefruit #16 Lime #20
Orange #14 Plantain #15 Watermelon #21

Fruits and Vegetables at the Farmer’s Market, Blake Road

NES crops not in the Top 30 Identified

Asparagus #60 Bean #45, 64, 91 Mushroom (no rank)

Spinach #48 Avocado #32 Grape (no rank)
Honeydew Melon #34 Strawberry #36 Tangerine #42

Therefore of the twenty one crops recommended by NES twelve (12) have the potential
to be million dollar industries:
Carrot Corn
Lettuce Onion
Potatoes Tomatoes
Banana Grape
Lime Orange
Plantain Strawberry

While corn is included on this list its potential lies in the frozen and prepared or
preserved market. Prepared or preserved are mostly in the form of cans. The variety of
corn is sweet corn, in 2006 the Bahamas imported B$170,311 worth of fresh sweet corn
and in 2007 imports were worth B$218,881. Frozen sweet corn in 2006 and 2007
respectively had a value of B$698,863 and B$686,602. Imported canned (prepared or
preserved) corn in 2006 had a value of B$782,620 and in 2007 was worth B$979,896, for a
total value in 2006 of B$1,651,794 and in 2007 B$1,885,389.

Lettuce imports for 2006 was worth approximately B$3.5 million all fresh lettuce,
cabbage lettuce or head lettuce, romaine and other. By 2007 we imported almost B$4.0
million dollars worth of lettuce.

Grape another crop recommended by NES while we have a potential to produce it does
not appear on our crop profile.

The NES listed Potato in its recommendations however what type are the referring to
Irish or Sweet*. Irish potato fresh and frozen has a potential to generate B$10.0 million
dollars annually, sweet potato on the other hand is worth half a million dollars.

Watermelon shows it has potential to be a million dollar industry however in 2007

watermelon imports fell by more than half a million dollars, from B$1,109836 in 2006 to
B$485,943 in 2007^.
The reasons for this decline are still unknown as Packing House purchases for this
period reflected the same trend. If local production increased we will be able to
determine that once all figures are in from the farmers register. From the survey we
learnt that the watermelon in demand is the seedless variety.

Local Seeded Watermelon Variety

Of the remaining 18 crops three have an import value of over B$800,000 per annum they
are:

Broccoli (895K) Cabbage (842K) Mushrooms (821K)

Broccoli and cabbage are grown successfully in the Bahamas however mushrooms do
not appear in our crop profile.

Other crops with relatively high import values or over B$200,000:

Watermelon (486K) Asparagus (458K)

Honeydew Melon (473K) Sweet Potato (428K)
Grapefruit (378K) Celery (375K)
Cassava (275K)
Garlic (240K) Avocado (260K)
Tangerine (222K) Spinach (230K)
PEAS & BEAN**
That would leave four (4) four crops
peas, beans, okra and hot pepper. Both
hot pepper and okra have a potential to
earn under, one hundred thousand
dollars. Peas and beans are a little more
complicated because of the varieties and
the value-added products of these
varieties. However, combined they have
a potential to earn over one million
dollars annually. (Table #8)
Peas is imported into this country in
four varieties sweet peas, pigeon peas
(Cajunus Cajun), black eyed peas and
cowpeas. Pigeon peas come in four
forms fresh, frozen, preserved and dried
and had a total value of only B$53,844
for 2007.
Sweet pea may be imported fresh,
frozen and dried and was worth more
than Pigeon Peas by more than a quarter
of a million dollars, the total import
value for all types of sweet pea was
B$322, 085.
Black eye peas are imported fresh and
dry but in 2007 was only worth b$13,
198.
Cow peas is imported fresh only and in
2007 total imports was worth B$118.
Kidney Beans
Total import value for all peas in 2007
was B$389,245, the value in 2006 was
B$389,476.
The Harmonized System Code 7133990
is labeled Peas or bean dried, however
these are believed to be Pigeon Peas as
the code 7139010 does not reflect the
amount of Pigeon Peas imported into
the country by local canners (Albury’s
and Sawyer’s).The imported quantity
and value for HS 7133990 was 401,556
pounds and worth B$188,904 or B$0.47
per pound.
There were three types or varieties of
bean, Lima, Kidney and others and they
had a combined import value of B$701,
085. Other being the most valuable,
value at B$456,650 and is imported
fresh, frozen and dried. Lima beans
were the next valuable with an import
value of B$221,194, its forms of
importation are fresh, preserved and
dried. Kidney beans are imported fresh
and in 2007 was worth B$23,241.
The total imported value for peas and
bean in 2006 was B$1,151,334 and in
2007 they were worth B$1,279,234^.
Of this list of 30 crops identified by NES
two had no rank as they did not appear
on the Crop Profile, all others are grown
in the Bahamas and included on our
Crop Profile.
Based on the survey done for this report (January-February 2009) on the top thirty
crops, the following is a list of crops that buyers are interested in purchasing:

Onion Tomato Lettuce Sweet Pepper Cabbage

Okra Celery Cucumber Pumpkin Carrot

Green Corn Cassava Sweet Potato Goat Pepper Pigeon Peas

Parsley Rosemary Citrus Melons (water, Papaya

seedless, honey
dew)

Pineapple Sugar Apple Cantaloupe Coconut (grated)

Sugar Cane

The livestock agricultural products that are estimated to offer the best market
penetration potential are beef, mutton, pork, chevon and honey.

Buy Bahamian!
Acknowledgements: see full report

References:
1) Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Statistics, Mr. Leslie Minns, Senior
Marketing Officer
2) Department of Fisheries, Fisheries Statistics, Mr. Greg Burrows
3) National Economic Summit, March 2009
4) Rapid Assessment of Farming Practices, Production Facilities and Marketing
Operations – Miss LaMonica Glinton (May 2008), BAPA
5) The Census of Agriculture: 1978, 1994 (Department of Agriculture)
6) ^ Department of Statistics, Commonwealth of the Bahamas Annual Foreign
Trade Statistics Report 2007
Key:

B$ - Bahamian dollars
K=thousands of Bahamian dollars

The 2006 Bahamas Crop Profile:

1 Ackee 28 Coconut 55 Marjoram 82 Rosemary

2 Alfalfa 29 Collard Greens 56 Mammy 83 Sapodilla
3 Aloe 30 Corn 57 Mango 84 Scarlet Plum
4 Arugula 31 Cow Peas 58 Mint 85 Sea Grape
5 Asparagus 32 Cucumber 59 Mulberry 86 Sorghum
6 Avocado 33 Dasheen 60 Neem 87 Sour Orange
7 Banana 34 Dates 61 Noni 88 Sour Sop
8 Basil 35 Dill 62 Okra 89 Spinach
9 Bean, Kidney 36 Eddoes 63 Onion 90 Squash
10 Bean, Lima 37 Eggplant 64 Orange 91 Star Apple
11 Bean, Other 38 Garlic 65 Oregano 92 Strawberry
12 Beets 39 Gooseberry 66 Papaya 93 String Bean
13 Benny 40 Grapefruit 67 Parsley 94 Sugar Apple
14 Bok Choy 41 Guava 68 Passion Fruit 95 Sugar Cane
15 Breadfruit 42 Guinea Corn 69 Peanut 96 Sweet Pepper
16 Broccoli 43 Guinep 70 Pepper, Chili 97 Sweet Potato
17 Cabbage 44 Hog Plum 71 Pepper,Chr. 98 Swiss Chard
Red
18 Cantaloupe 45 Honey Dew 72 Pepper, Goat 99 Tamarind
19 Carambola 46 Irish Potato 73 Pepper, Hot 100 Tangelo
20 Carrot 47 Jou-Jou 74 Pepper, 101 Tangerine
Jalapeño
21 Cassava 48 Kale 75 Pepper, Salad 102 Thyme
22 Cauliflower 49 Lemon 76 Pigeon Peas 103 Tomato
23 Celery 50 Lemon Grass 77 Pineapple 104 Vanilla
24 Cherry 51 Lettuce 78 Plantain 105 Watercress
25 Chive 52 Lime, Key 79 Plum – June 106 Watermelon
26 Cigar/Tobacco 53 Lime, Persian 80 Pomegranate 107 Yam
27 Cilantro 54 Lychee 81 Pumpkin 108 Zucchini
Source: The Department of Agriculture
Avocado Fact Sheet When to harvest: Avocado does not ripen
while still on the tree, but must be picked
Common name: Avocado when full grown and mature.

Scientific name: Persea americana Mill. Season: Bears from May to March,
depending upon variety.
Health Benefits:

Varieties: Lula Monroe, Hall, Simmonds,

Pollock (early)

Source: FACT SHEET ON LOCAL FRUIT

TREES, GRAC (various resources)

Avocado Value in $

San Salvador
Mayaguana
Propagation: Fresh avocado seeds sprout in Acklins

4 to 6 weeks. Andros
Abaco
Cat Island
Cultivation: Does not tolerate flood
New Providence
conditions.
Eleuthera
Grand Bahama
Plant type: Medium-sized or large tree Long Island
(usually up to 30 ft, but could be 60 ft or All Bahamas
more.

Time to maturity: Trees produced from

seeds bear in 5-6 years, while grafted
varieties bear fruit earlier, in 3-4 years. Source: Dept. of Agriculture 2006 Crop
Estimates by Island

Prepared by the IICA Bahamas Office 2009

Mango Fact Sheet When to harvest: When ready for
harvesting, the fruit will break free from
the stem at the slightest tug.

Season: Fruiting season from May to

January, depending upon the variety.

Health Benefits: control blood pressure,

promote the normal clotting of blood,
help heal wounds and support the
bodies’ immune system.

Common name: Mango Varieties: Haden, Kent, Palmer, Carrie,

Smith
Scientific name: Mangifera indica L
Source: FACT SHEET ON LOCAL FRUIT
TREES, GRAC (various resources)
Propagation: Usually grafted on
rootstock, but germinates readily from Mango Value in $

fresh, fully matured seeds. San Salvador

Mayaguana
Cultivation: Plant tree in sunny Acklins

location. Irrigate and fertilize for first 4- Andros

5 years of life. Abaco

Cat Island

New Providence
Plant type: Large tree.
Eleuthera

Grand Bahama
Time to maturity: Grafted trees can
Long Island
produce fruit within 2 years. Mangoes All Bahamas
reach maturity about 5 months after
flowering.
Source: Dept. of Agriculture 2006 Crop
Estimates by Island

Prepared by the IICA Bahamas Office 2009

 Source: FACT SHEET ON LOCAL FRUIT
Guava Fact Sheet TREES, GRAC (various resources)

Common name: Guava

Scientific name: Psidium guajava L. Guava Value in $

San Salvador
Mayaguana
Acklins
Andros
Abaco
Cat Island
New
Providence
Eleuthera
Grand Bahama
Long Island
All Bahamas
Propagation: Seeds germinate in 3 to 6 weeks

Cultivation: Drought tolerant, tolerates poor

growing conditions, prefers full sunlight. Trees
will flourish with little care, but respond to
fertilisers.

Plant type: Small tree with spreading branches

Time to maturity: Trees bear first fruit 2 years

Source: Dept. of Agriculture 2006 Crop
after transplanting. Fruit matures 5 months after
Estimates by Island
flowering.

When to harvest: Fruit flavour is best when Prepared by the IICA Bahamas Office 2009
allowed to ripen on the tree.

Season: Bears throughout the year, but heaviest

during summer months.

Health benefits: Supports immune systems,

lowers cholesterol, controls blood pressure and
maintains healthy bones.

Varieties: Beaumont Red, Mexican Cream, Pear,

Red Indian, Red Malaysian, Ruby, South
African, White Indian
Sapodilla Fact Sheet Season: Produces fruit throughout most
of the year, depending upon variety.
Main production occurs from May to
September.
Source: FACT SHEET ON LOCAL FRUIT
TREES, GRAC (various resources)

Health Benefits: This food is low in

Saturated Fat, and very low in
Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a very
good source of Dietary Fiber and
Vitamin C.
Source:
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/fruits-and-
fruit-juices/2061/2

Common name: Sapodilla
Scientific name: Manilkara zapota van
Royen
Propagation: Seeds germinate readily,
but are slow growing. The plants can
Varieties:
Addley, Adelaide, Badam, Baramasi,
Big Pine Key, Black, Brown Sugar
Source:
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedi
ngs1996/V3-439.html#CULTIVARS
Sapodilla Value in $

also be grafted or air layered.

San Salvador

Mayaguana
Cultivation: Requires full sunlight and Acklins
is tolerant of drought and saline Andros
conditions. Abaco

Cat Island

Plant type: Large tree (60ft) New Providence

Eleuthera

Grand Bahama
Time to maturity: Trees take 5 to 8 years
Long Island
to bear. Fruiting occurs 4-6 months after
All Bahamas
flowering.
Source: Dept. of Agriculture 2006 Crop
When to harvest: Fruit mature over a 5- Estimates by Island
month period. Pick when stem breaks
Prepared by the IICA Bahamas Office 2009
easily.
Coconut Fact Sheet Season: Produces all year round

Source: FACT SHEET ON LOCAL FRUIT

TREES, GRAC (various resources)

Health Benefits:

The good: This food is very low in Cholesterol

and Sodium. It is also a very good source of
Manganese.

The bad: This food is very high in Saturated Fat.

Common name: Coconut Source:http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/nut-

and-seed-products/3106/2
Scientific name: Cocos nucifera
Varieties: Green Malayan, Golden
Propagation: Seeds germinate in 4-6 Malayan, Fiji Dwarf, Jamaica Tall
months
Source: Dept. of Agriculture 2006 Crop
Estimates by Island
Cultivation: Propagate using seeds
from fully matured nuts. The coconut Prepared by the IICA Bahamas Office 2009
palm is well adapted to sandy soils and
saline conditions. It resists strong winds
and often withstands hurricanes.
Coconut Value in $
Plant type: Palm tree, ranging from
dwarf types (5-6 ft) to tall trees reaching
90 ft in height.
San Salvador
Mayaguana

Time to maturity: Trees begin to fruit in Acklins

Andros
about 5 years. Fruit set to maturity is 8- Abaco

10 months. Cat Island

New Providence
Eleuthera

When to harvest: Mature fruit may be Grand Bahama

Long Island
picked for its juice and soft flesh when All Bahamas

husk is still green, or dried and brown

for its meat (copra).