Value Chain Analysis: Feasibility Of Exporting Fruits And Vegetables Into Martinique From St. Lucia

Insufficient market research and intelligence on the fresh tropical agricultural produce markets in the French Caribbean Overseas Regions (FCOR's) limits the ability of producers and exporters in St. Lucia to effectively explore the opportunities and capture the benefits that exist in these neighboring markets. This study examined the market opportunities for the top six fresh tropical agricultural produce in Martinique, as well as issues that affect market access into the European Union FCOD, which is governed by preferences under the EUCARIORUM Economic Partnership Agreement. A value chain approach was used to assess St. Lucia's competitiveness in the FCOR market. Utilizing the Economic Competitiveness Coefficient framework developed by Singh et al. (2006), the export price competitiveness for the six commodities identified were computed. The competitor analysis of the major suppliers in the market for the identified commodities show that for selected commodities (yam, tomatoes and grapefruit), less than fifty percent of the supply value was accrued to members of the European Union. The study found that the commodities identified, yams, tomatoes, lettuce, cabbages, grapefruit and sweet peppers, could be successfully cultivated in St. Lucia. The results show that all six commodities will be price competitive in the Martinique market.