How JAMPRO Study reveals US$1.81 billion potential of Jamaica Black Castor Oil by 2020

“It’s the kind of product that can engage Jamaicans right across the island. It has the potential to create new enterprises,”

JAMPRO’s manager of market development for agriculture and non-food manufacturing, Berletta Henlon Forrester commenting on Jamaica Black Castor Oil

Jamaicans who grow Castor Oil, listen up. Your plants are potential part of an industry that could reach US$1.81 billion by 2020!

So says JAMPRO (Jamaica Promotions Corporation) who commissioned a study into the developement and capitalization of Jamaica Black Castor Oil or JBCO as reported in the article “Castor Oil Industry Stakeholders to Benefit from Study”, published August 10, 2016 By Chad Bryan, The Jamaica Information Service.

The study is being done jointly with the assistance of the following stakeholders:

1.      BSJ (Bureau of Standards Jamaica)

2.      SRC (Scientific Research Council)

3.      DBJ (Development Bank of Jamaica)

The words of warning by Director of Marketing and Promotions at Outa Earth Processors Shirley Lindo at the St Catherine Pavilion at the 64^th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural Show in Clarendon as reported in “‘Protect Castor Oil Industry Or We Will Lose It’ – Producer”, published Wednesday August 3, 2016, The Jamaica Gleaner may have something to do with their response.

Castor Oil Production in Jamaica – Lack of Agri Ministry organization of Farmers

Apparently an increasing local interest in Jamaica Black Castor Oil, as well as in increasing threat of foreign imports that threatens the fledgling local economy, which the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries clearly isn't taking seriously.

Now: 10Mins To Your Health: Beauty Benefits of Jamaican Castor Oil with MD, Outa Earth Processors Ltd.,Shirley Lindo pic.twitter.com/GB7GCsInxE

— Smile Jamaica (@Smilejamtvj) August 4, 2016

It is true that they’d declared despite plans to increase the production of castor oil as noted in the article “Gov't Launches Production Of Castor Oil Beans”, published Thursday February 27, 2014, by Angelo Laurence, The Jamaica Gleaner.

But they’ve done little to organize farmers and arrange for expert markets for Castor Oil. Many Castor Oil Farmers, who have excess Castor Oil, have resorted to selling their Castor Oil online as from my MICO Wars Blog article entitled “Castor Oil from the Oil Nut Tree is a Future Biofuel for Jamaica”.

Hence the knee-jerk response by JAMPRO’s manager of market development for agriculture and non-food manufacturing, Berletta Henlon Forrester, quote: “We got questions from how to grow the product, how to process it…(to) where we could find markets. How can we market our Jamaican Black Castor Oil has been the most critical question”.

But it's the export potential that has forced JAMPRO to act, as there is little production of Jamaica Black Castor Oil.

 JAMPRO and Jamaica Black Castor Oil - US$1.81 billion by 2020 is ours for the Taking

JAMPRO has also been getting inquiries from other Caribbean countries to purchase Bulk Black Castor Oil.

So says Berletta Henlon Forrester, quote: “Importantly, we have been getting enquiries from within the Caribbean for imports of bulk Castor Oil from Jamaica. We’ve got enquiries from buyers and distributors who want to take it to market”.

So she's putting out the call to farmers to get their farms in gear as there are many product that can be made from Castor Oil as listed in my MICO Wars Blog article entitled “Castor Oil from the Oil Nut Tree is a Future Biofuel for Jamaica”.

1.      Powerful laxative

2.      Topical treatment for headaches

3.      Treatment for tooth aches

4.      Relieves chafed and dry skin

5.      Makes dry hard hair shiny and wholesome

6.      Diesel replacement in large vehicles such as trucks and buses

7.      Lubricants for sensitive components

Castor Oil's ability to restore lost hair is also well known and is part of its selling power as noted in the article “Castor Oil To The Rescue”, published Saturday March 15, 2014, The Jamaica Gleaner.

The Biofuel potential is especially interesting as PetroJam may also have an interest in cultivating Castor Oil as a biofuel as noted in my blog article entitled “Why Biodiesel and Hydroelectric Power at PCJ's Alternative Energy Expo a must before 2020”.

With a market potential of US$1.81 billion by 2020, it makes sense that JAMPRO is now seeking to fully grasp the potential of Castor Oil, as it may lead to increase self-employment and Entrepreneurial Farming activity, relieving the chronic Job Shortage in Jamaica.