Jamaican Crop History

Pimento
The dried berries of the pimento tree yield a spice which, because of its resemblance to the combined flavors of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, is called ‘allspice’. Pimento thrives best amidst the pastures on the limestone highlands of the central parishes. Though it is grown a little in other parts of the Caribbean, Jamaica has an almost complete monopoly of the world’s allspice trade. The leaves of the tree are also valuable as they yield pimento oil. The output and therefore the price fluctuate from year to year.

Ginger
Another export long associated with Jamaica is high-grade ginger. Most of it is grown by small farmers in the central hills north of Christiana where it has caused considerable soil erosion. When the plants are dug out of the ground, the roots—shaped like a man’s hand—are peeled, washed thoroughly and dried in the sun. They must be handled carefully to prevent them from breaking. for broken ginger loses its value. It is sold to Britain, Canada and America.

Tobacco
Before the war Jamaica had a considerable cigar trade with Britain. This has declined in recent years because of the high tax imposed on tobacco there. Moreover, Jamaican cigars have to compete on equal terms with those from Cuba, which are usually regarded as being the best in the world. A coarse tobacco is grown for local use, but most of the cigarettes manufactured in the island are made of Virginia tobacco or blended with imported Canadian leaf.

Sisal
Some sisal is grown on poor soils in the hills near May Pens It is converted into rope sufficient to satisfy Jamaican requirements.

Fruit
Many tropical fruits are grown in the island, primarily for home consumption, though guava jelly and canned pineapples, mangoes and other fruits and fruit products are exported in small quantities. Strawberries grow well in the Blue Mountains, but it is difficult to carry them to Kingston for marketing. Over the years the prices of fruits and vegetables in Jamaica have remained relatively stable.

Coconuts
Coconuts, grown mainly on estates along the northern and eastern coasts of the island, provide enough copra to supply a fairly large industry making such products as butter, margarine, lard, edible oil, toilet soap and laundry soap. In some years there is a small export of coconut shells, and some charcoal, made from the shells, is sent to the United States.