A strategic report commissioned by the Investment Promotion Directorate (DPI) of the Investment Facilitation Center (CFI) reveals that Haitian agribusiness is a fundamental pillar of the national economy, resting on fragile foundations. Despite its contribution of 20 to 25% to the national GDP and its role as an employer of more than 2.5 million people, or 50% of the working population, the Haitian agricultural sector paradoxically remains dependent on the massive import of staple foods.

Rice : Symbol of Dependence :

The case of rice is revealing. Haiti produces approximately 120,000 tons of rice per year, barely 25.5% of its national consumption (470,000 tons). The remainder (some 350,000 tons) is imported, representing a market estimated at between USD 150 and 200 million per year.

"This chronic food dependency is an anomaly in a country blessed with fertile land and strong productive potential," emphasizes Junior International Prospecting Officer Yves Harry Deslouches in this report.

According to the report, modernizing the Artibonite Valley, the heart of Haitian rice farming, would increase productivity by 30% thanks to modern rice mills, hybrid seeds, and smart irrigation systems.

Cocoa and Coffee : Sleeping Resources :

Haitian coffee, produced in the highlands of the Southeast and Center, enjoys international recognition. Yet, of the 20,000 tons produced each year, barely 14,000 are exported, mainly by a company that generates revenues of USD 10 to 15 million. The global specialty coffee market, which is growing by 7% per year according to the International Coffee Organization (2024), remains largely untapped by Haiti.

The same goes for cocoa. A cooperative in Grand'Anse has led the way : by exporting 100 tons of certified organic cocoa in 2023, it tripled its revenues, from $200,000 to $600,000, and created 200 jobs. If this experience were replicated on a large scale, exports could reach $20 million by 2030, compared to $1 to $2 million currently.

Logistical Challenges : The Invisible Enemy

But why isn't Haiti exporting more? The answer is simple: the transportation of the harvest. According to the report, post-harvest losses reach up to 40% for mangoes and breadfruit due to a lack of storage infrastructure and passable roads. Added to this are transportation costs, which can represent up to 30% of the total cost of a processed agri-food product.

"A fleet of refrigerated trucks, combined with the rehabilitation of rural roads, would be a game-changer," the report states. The cost ? Around USD 10 million. But the return on investment, according to experts at CFI-Invest Haiti, could reach 20 to 25% in five years.

Towards productive sovereignty :

For Yves Harry Deslouches, "the objective is not only to export, but to achieve productive sovereignty by gradually replacing imports." This means processing locally, creating integrated value chains, certifying products, and conquering niche markets (organic, fair trade, gluten-free) in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Dubai.

IH/ iciHaiti