Jamaican manufacturing and distribution company, GraceKennedy is exploring contemplating producing corned beef.
This follows the recent implementation of a ban on the importation of the product from Brazil based on reports that several major meat processers were “selling rotten beef and poultry”.
Jamaica and other countries in the region have since lifted the ban but GraceKennedy is now interested in producing a “home grown” product.
“We recognize that innovation requires thinking outside of the box and because we priorities local production and pursue every opportunity to do so, I have asked the innovation team to look at what it would take to produce corned beef at Grace Food Processors – our meat processing plant in Westmoreland,” said GraceKennedy CEO, Don Wehby.
The company’s meat processing plant produces a wide range of products including Grace Vienna Sausages, frankfurters and ham.
“It would be great if we could deliver to our consumers “Grace Bully Beef”, manufactured in Savanna-La-mar, Jamaica,” he said adding that the team will explore this innovation and “provide a report to me as soon as possible.”
However, Agriculture Minister Karl Samuda says the proposal might not be practical.
“I don’t think at the moment that we are in a position to produce our own corned beef. When you talking about the production 4,800 factories in Brazil produce at a volume that the economies of scale would strip us dry, we wouldn’t be able to competitive ….. so we import those things,” Samuda said.
The ban on corned beef manufactured in the South American country was lifted following a report that was submitted by a Jamaican delegation that went to Brazil to meet with authorities and inspected operations.
Based on the positive findings, the ban was lifted.
According to Wehby, the government’s decision is reflective of the due diligence in protecting the health and safety of Jamaica’s citizens .
