The Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority, (JACRA) has launched an enforcement drive to tackle copycat coffee it says is damaging authentic Jamaican brands.
Jamaican coffee is sold at a premium because cultivation only takes place in the Blue Mountain and High Mountain areas of the country, and that means only a limited supply of the product is ever available for sale on international markets.
JACRA has released a statement saying that the Jamaican coffee sector is losing millions of dollars to the illicit trade, which is also damaging the reputation of the Blue Mountain and High Mountain brands.
The Agency says it will apply the full letter of the law, including the seizure of the contraband and the application of other enforcement measures.
The island's industry – which dates back to the 1700s – is being hit by weakened demand and low prices as counterfeit brands flood the market.
Reduced demand in Japan – traditionally one of its top export markets – has however also had an impact, along with a decline in farm productivity.
Japanese market share has fallen from 95 per cent 25 years ago with both the US and Europe growing over the period.
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