I had the opportunity of visiting BMEX whilst on Barbados recently, and was very impressed with all the companies who had taken the trouble to show their wares.

I was particularly impressed with the Food Hall, and was surprised at the wide variety of home produced goods on display. The presentation, and the multitude, of free samples available was a testimony to the keenness of the companies to bolster sales. However, I feel that there is one area were some negotiations with the island supermarkets could bring still more benefits.

Firstly, it is going to be absolutely vital for Barbados to cut its import bill for food. The world economic recession dictates that this is a must. With the tourist industry going through hard times, the Government will have to look at ways and means of cutting its imports. Food has to be a target, for Barbados has the climate and land available to grow all that it requires, imports being luxuries and taxed accordingly.

Secondly, many of the tourists visiting this sunny island, may opt for self catering accommodation, and will be buying in the local supermarkets.

Now I believe that Barbados producers should get together with these outlets with a view to having an area of the store completely devoted to locally produced food and drink. This would mean that holiday makers could see at a glance what was available and, I believe, lead to greatly increased sales. To try something new, of good quality and fresh would, I am sure, engender much greater interest; than the prospective purchaser having to search around the shelves, looking for island products.

Two local producers, Lionel Roberts of Lionel’s Sauces & Dressings, and Gregory Nurse of the National Trading Place, both heartily agreed, but said that the problem was not with the producers, but with the supermarkets.

Yet I believe that these emporiums would also benefit from increased sales. The self-catering visitor will always look for local content and freshness, and if it is grouped together in one section, it makes for ease of purchasing, which is what the shops should be all about. Customer first, systems second, and also, making a valuable contribution in reducing the island’s unemployment figures.

One of the butchery companies told me that only about 20% of Barbados’s meat consumption was locally produced. This is an area that has vast potential, for fresh meat, well presented, will always catch the holidaymaker’s eye, let alone the indigenous purchaser.

BMEX, as a whole, was very well presented, with a wide range of product, and by the numbers present, well supported.

What Barbados now has to do is to support local industry. As I was leaving the airport, I noticed a stand in the duty free section, Mother Earth Botannicals, which summed up what I have been writing, by having a notice with the simple message, “Save Jobs, Buy Bajan.”

They have the right idea.     

.