Dominica in danger of losing St.Martin market

     Hucksters doing business in St.Martin have been told that unless they comply with the standards and quality regulating the trade in fresh produce in St.Martin, they would be denied access to that market. Noreen Brooks, Commissioner of Market Affairs, Permits and Authorization in the French territory, disclosed at a press conference held at DEXIA earlier today that “as of March 1st [the hucksters] will have to comply,” and St. Martin “would no longer accept any fresh produce that is not packed properly.” She insisted those who fail to satisfy minimum quality requirements will either have their vessels intercepted and turned back at sea or have their produce confiscated without compensation.

     Brooks disclosed that the hucksters were informed of the French authority’s position as early as 2001. They were advised to upgrade their operations and improve the presentation and packaging of their products or run the risk of being barred from the trade. However, since this initial ultimatum, very little changes have been made to the trade. The hucksters have continued with business as usual; overcrowding and over-packing schooners/vessels, sale of plantains and bananas on bunches, and the unsightly vending of produce from the back of pick-up trucks around the city streets. St.Martinians seems particularly opposed to the practice of hucksters competing in the retail market against the very persons to whom they sell at wholesale. Now the authorities say they have had enough and are determined to enforce the regulations. Commissioner Brooks stated that while it was not the intention of her office to keep Dominican produce out of the St.Martin, “we have an obligation to our population to make sure that we protect the consumers’ rights and the way our island is being kept in terms of the environment and whatever comes into St.Martin.”

     DEXIA and the Dominica Hucksters Association (DHA) both agree that the hucksters have had more than enough time to get their act together. As recently as October 2005, these institutions along with the Dominica Bureau of Standards adopted a plan of action to salvage and rescue the trade. The intervention targeted the training of hucksters, introduction of an inspectorate for fresh produce leaving the island and possible upgrades in transportation. Unfortunately very little came out of the initiative. However, Cecil Joseph, Executive Director of the DHA insists “the hucksters have been sufficiently sensitized and trained and know exactly what needs to be done but admits “they’ve refused to change the way they do business.”

     The hucksters appear comfortable with present arrangements. But it is this very complacency that has resulted in considerable loss of market share for Dominica in St.Martin. Prior to 2000 Dominica dominated the trade in fresh produce to the twin islands of St.Martin/Saint Marteen. However, over the last six years, we have been progressively loosing ground to Santo Domingo, Cuba, Haiti and St.Vincent. Prior to 2000, Dominica’s total exports of fresh produce to the island was valued at EC$5 million compared to just a little over $EC 2 million in 2006. As Dominica’s exports to St.Martin continue to nosedive and hucksters prolong compliance to the new trade rules, one way or the other, there is a real possibility that Dominica may find itself booted out of the St.Martin market.

     There is yet a glimmer of hope for Dominica and the hucksters operating in St.Martin. Dominica’s produce is by no means uncompetitive. In fact, Gregoire Thomas, General Manager at DEXIA noted that despite the present problems, “the image about the intrinsic quality of [Dominican] products in the market still exists.” Brooks concurs. She pointed out that the produce from the other islands “is not better but they are more professional.” There is still a preference and demand for Dominica’s produce but in the world of fresh produce “eye appeal is buy appeal.” And if the hucksters are going to regain market share, they must be prepared to do the simple things that make a world of difference. We simply cannot continue to present poor quality, shoddy products to the marketplace. Luckily, the hucksters do have access to relatively inexpensive and quality packaging material and they should not have a problem meeting the March 1st deadline