Hot! Hot!! Hot!!! Prospects

Caribbean cuisine has a truly unique taste. It can be spicy or it can be tropical. Hot peppers, hot sauces and curries are integral parts of Caribbean cooking, as is rice and coconut milk.

Thai cooks, like their Caribbean counterparts, love hot and spicy foods. There is a great deal of similarity between the palates of the two cultures. Many of the ingredients are the same too. Thai products are finding their way into many Caribbean homes because gourmet stores, Asian Markets, and even some supermarkets in the island are stocking their shelves with Thai herbs, sauces, canned fruits and juices, rice and spices.

Business opportunities abound for those stepping into the import market. Consumer trends for food imports in the Caribbean show that more and more products are being imported into the region from Thailand every year.

The Caribbean region is heavily import dependent. Because of this, the region has developed smooth and efficient trade practices. In the majority of islands, products typically go through Customs in less than three days.

Coconut milk, a base for most Caribbean curries, can be imported in canned or powered form. Rice holds a place of honor in many meals and Thailand is the world's leading exporter of rice. Tamarind is another spice used in Caribbean kitchens. If you can't imagine the taste of tamarind, just think of the taste of Worcestershire, or Pickapeppa sauce of which tamarind is the main ingredient.

Up and coming "stars" in the import arena are Thai hot sauces and curry mixes. The Caribbean people are always willing to add new flavors to their menus. The introduction of Thai food products adds just one more nuance to the island area's cuisine.

The tourism industry is also an important factor. Tourism drives the import trade market in the Caribbean, where more than half of the populace works in some connection with the service sector. With more tourists spending more money, consumption of consumer-oriented products has climbed.

Slowdown? Just the Opposite!
A first glance would suggest that the Caribbean is exceptionally vulnerable to any slowdown in the economy. This line of reasoning assumes that fewer people would be going on vacation, and would therefore bring less revenue to the tourism-dependent island. The actual result, however, is exactly the opposite. Even larger numbers of Americans are vacationing in the Caribbean this year than last year because it is closer and less expensive than other destinations.

The trade growth will be exponential. Current and future import business entrepreneurs of Thai products in the Caribbean region should not let this opportunity pass them by. Someone will "get rich quick", it might as well be YOU!

The Caribbean people are always willing to add new flavors to their menus. The introduction of Thai food products adds just one more nuance to the island area's cuisine.