Jamaican fresh produce business Jamaica Producers has returned to profit.
Its finances had been hard hit by hurricanes and it has suffered losses in recent seasons as a result.
In the first quarter ending March 28, 2009, it posted a profit of J$45.4 million (£324,000) compared to losses of J$312.6m at the same point last year.
The organisation has trimmed its operations, divesting itself of Serious Food Ltd and splitting the group into three divisions: JP tropical division, JP Europe and the corporate division.
Chairman Charles Johnston said the group has three priorities now that it has moved away from banana exporting. These are developing agri-business and fruit-processing in the Caribbean and Central America; developing fruit-processing and juicing activities in Europe; and ensuring returns on land and logistics holdings that were traditionally part of the export banana business.
A majority of Jamaica Producers' agricultural output from Jamaica is now sold as branded value-added products rather than as fresh produce and new crops of cassava and sweet potato are being planted for the growing snack business.
