“Our farm has faced difficulties due to Jamaica’s climatic conditions. Since establishing Shavout Farms in 2013, we’ve experienced ups and downs like any farm,” Harris says. Despite these challenges, strategic investment transformed their agricultural foundation. “The farm evolved from a partnership into a limited liability company with an investor, expanding from 165 acres to over 500 acres—a truly transformational process.” The agricultural base provides critical supply chain stability despite environmental disruptions. “Last year’s hurricane destroyed much of Jamaica’s agricultural produce, but because we’ve been building tenacity within our farm, we’ve become more resilient.The farm helps our company continue to thrive even during Jamaica’s darkest agricultural times,” Harris explains, a vertical integration strategy that buffers against market volatility while ensuring product quality through controlled production methods. On the distribution side, Shavout sticks to manufacturing excellence while leveraging strategic partnerships for market access. “We are not distributors. We focus on manufacturing and sell to distributors across North America, the Caribbean, and Europe.About 95% of our distribution is exports while the rest is local,” Harris notes. Current growth initiatives target increased market penetration in their strongest regions.“We’re focusing on the Jamaican and North American markets while expanding our capacity by 25-30%. We aim to grow market penetration by at least 50% in the next two to three years,” Harris says.“This expansion strategy combines new product development with distributor collaboration to optimize existing relationships.” Sustainability investments complement growth plans. “Our energy and water conservation project will dramatically reduce utility costs once established. We’re using these savings to drive further growth and innovation,” Harris explains, illustrating how operational efficiency supports expansion objectives. THE HEART BEHIND THE BRAND For Harris, the rewards of leading Shavout International encompass financial metrics, creative venture on their own or overcome obstacles,” Harris explains. GROWING THROUGH CLIMATE CHALLENGES Climate volatility presents an ongoing challenge for Shavout International’s agricultural operations, yet the company has developed resilience strategies that support its predominantly export-focused business model. Their integrated approach to farming and international market development provides a blueprint for navigating agricultural uncertainties while expanding global reach. 32 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 12, ISSUE 04
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