4 weeks ago
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The Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association, JCEA, wants the authorities to withdraw the proposed blockchain platform for commodity exports, arguing it will impose over $100 million in costs on stakeholders.
Chairman of the JCEA Dr Norman Grant said the system adds significant financial burden without near-term revenue gains, and that it would about “$100 million” to costs.
“[This] will ultimately reduce the price paid to the coffee farmers,” he said, echoing the view that exporters will pass on costs to farmers in the form of reduced payment for their beans.
The blockchain platform, called JamSave, aims to provide overseas roasters and consumers with a scannable code on coffee packaging, detailing when and where the coffee was planted, harvested, and processed – thereby verifying its authenticity.
The Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority, JACRA, maintains that the technology is vital for compliance with the European Union’s deforestation regulations and will help expand the global reach of premium Jamaican agricultural commodities.
Currently, about three-quarters of Jamaica’s coffee is exported to Japan, with China, the United States and Europe accounting for the rest, but authorities believe other regions may soon follow the EU’s lead.
Grant, who is also the head of Mavis Bank Coffee Factory, contends the blockchain platform is not needed for compliance, as Europe represents only two per cent of Jamaica’s coffee exports.
JamSave, was developed by Agrodise Limited, which was co-founded by Pia Bramwell and Courtney Bramwell. Pia Bramwell partnered with director Christopher Reckford to launch the initiative.
Grant warned the technology could “backfire, if our buyers decide not to comply, and instead simply switch to the many other competing speciality coffee from around the world”.
Both JCEA and the Jamaica Cocoa Farmers Association oppose the initiative, which would embed a scannable code to verify crop origins and authenticity. They’ve expressed concerns to JACRA over transparency, affordability, and market readiness.
Rather than mandatory blockchain use, Grant is advocating for production-focused measures such as crop restoration, infrastructure improvements, insurance access, and farmer registration, which he believes could double output and boost industry earnings over the next decade.
English (US) ·