Boston, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/03/2015 -- We are turning more positive regarding economic growth in the Caribbean, as structural and financial reforms take hold in the region, tourism numbers are picking up, and growth is stronger in key western states such as the US. That said, many regional economies continue to be heavily indebted which limits general investment. We believe that general food consumption growth will be strongest in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. In the Dominican Republic's case, food consumption is coming off of a very low base. Ongoing recession in Puerto Rico, one of the region's most sophisticated markets, is likely to continue in 2015.

Headline Industry Data

Forecast 201 5 food consumption growth (local currency):

- Bahamas: +1.1%
- Barbados: +0.7%
- Dominican Republic: +5.9%
- Jamaica: +7.2%
- Puerto Rico: +3.6%
- Trinidad & Tobago: +3.1%

Forecast 201 5 real GDP growth (local currency):

- Bahamas: +1.3%
- Barbados: +0.7%
- Dominican Republic: +5.7%
- Jamaica: +1.9%
- Puerto Rico: -1.0%
- Trinidad & Tobago: +3.0%

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Forecast food consumption compound annual growth rate 201 4 to 201 9 (local currency):

- Bahamas: +1.5%
- Barbados: +1.5%
- Dominican Republic: +6.3%
- Jamaica: +6.3%
- Puerto Rico: +4.0%
- Trinidad & Tobago: +3.5%

Key Company Trends

Heineken To Invest USD100mn In Haiti Production Plant: Netherlands-based brewer Heineken announced in April 2014 that it will invest USD100mn in its Prestige lager producing production plant at Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The new investment involves construction of a second 24,300 square foot production line started in December 2013, in the same facility, utilising around one-fifth of the investment. The new production line will enable the company to double the output for Prestige and other beverages, along with launching a 16-ounce bottle of Prestige. The remaining amount will be invested to further boost...

The Caribbean Food & Drink Report features Business Monitor International (BMI)'s market assessment and independent forecasts for food and drink expenditure, consumption, sales, and imports/exports and forecasts for the mass grocery retail sector. The report also includes analyses of major regulatory developments, the background macroeconomic outlook and competitive landscape comparing national and multinational companies by leading products and services, sales, investments, partners and expansion strategies.

BMI's Caribbean Food & Drink Report provides industry professionals and strategists, sector analysts, business investors, trade associations and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on the food and drink industry and the mass grocery retail market in Barbados, Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico.

Key Benefits

- Benchmark BMI's independent food and drink industry forecasts for Barbados, Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico to test other views - a key input for successful budgeting and strategic business planning in the Barbadian, Bahamian, Jamaican, Trinidadian, Dominican, Puerto Rican food and drink market.

- Target business opportunities and risks in Barbados, Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico through our reviews of latest industry trends, regulatory changes and major deals, projects and investments.

- Exploit latest competitive intelligence on your competitors, partners and clients via our Company Profiles (inc. SWOTs, KPIs and latest activity) and Competitive Landscape Tables.

Coverage

BMI Industry View

Summary of BMI?s key industry forecasts and views, covering food and drink manufacturing and consumption and the mass grocery retail market.

Industry SWOT Analysis

Analysis of the major Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats within the food, drink and mass grocery retail sectors and within the broader political, economic and business environment.

BMI?s Food and Drink Risk Reward Index

BMI?s Risk Reward Indices provide investors (food and drink manufacturers and mass grocery retailers) looking for opportunities in the region with a clear country-comparative assessment of a market?s risks and potential rewards. Each of the country markets are scored using a sophisticated model that includes more than 40 industry, economic and demographic data points to provide indices of highest to lowest appeal to investors, with each position explained.

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