USAID Funded Program transforms Agro-processing Firm, FROOTSY in St-Lucia
Frootsy Food Ltd is a small agro processing enterprise located in Praslin, a fishing community on the east cost of St Lucia 25-kilo meters from the capital Castries. The enterprise produces Jams and Jellies, Confectionaries and Condiments. The enterprise was recruited after diagnostics were done on the company in April of 2002. At the time of recruitment the enterprise had an annual sale of less than EC$100,000 annually and although the company had a draft marketing plan it lacked the means of implementing it. Further the company was only supplying to the local supermarkets.

Through the technical assistance delivery of the Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Development Program the following interventions have been implemented. Packaging for meeting international standards were designed and produced for eighteen (18) items. A new automated accounting system was installed. In-plant Hazard Analysis for Critical Control Points (HACCP) and costing and pricing for efficiency and staff rationalisation were effected.  Market Visits to neighbouring islands and the recently held Caribbean Gifts and Craft Show were also provided. 

The enterprise can now generate monthly financial statements and it’s per unit production cost. The business plan now provides the necessary road map for the company development program for the next three years. As a result of these intervention the enterprise sales increased by over 250% in 2002 and by a further 77% in 2003. The value of the raw material (pepper, guava, seasoning, ginger and other non traditional agricultural produce) purchased from the local community as a result increased by 290% in 2003. The total wages paid out also increase by 38% during the same period. The enterprise is now exporting in small quantities to Anguilla and Barbados and a Marketing program to move to the BVI’s, St Marten and the other OECS countries is now been implemented.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 07 July 2009 12:01
 
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