The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation(BAIC), has signed a Memo of Understanding (MOU) with Milo B. Butler & SonsLtd. to market the offerings of Bahamian producers. A ceremony was held tocommemorate the partnership at BAIC headquarters on Old Trail Road onTuesday, November 1, 2022. BAIC Chairman, Leroy Major said that this move is a‘game changer’ for locally made products.

“This Memorandum  of Understanding has been signed to begin a public/privatepartnership with a longstanding Bahamian-owned company, which has been apioneer in the food industry for over 50 years,” said Mr. Major. “This is also therealization of yet another of the corporation’s long list of projects geared  towardsensuring food security in the country.”

Chairman of Milo B. Butler & Sons Ltd., Jevon Butler extended gratitude to thegovernment for partnering with the company. He said this partnership isespecially timely as the country heads into 50 years of independence. “This is anespecially significant move for the country,” said Mr. Butler. “We have madesome serious strides in the tourism and banking sectors, but have continued to bechallenged in the field of agriculture.”

He explained that like most businesses, when the principals of Milo B. Butler & Sons analyzed their business model, it was noted there is a high reliance of over95% on imported products. Consequently, the objective of this MOU is toeventually reduce that reliance and replace 25% of imported products withBahamian-made products over a period of time. He admitted, however, that itwill take time and results may not be immediately seen, but in the long-term, thatgoal is achievable. 

With over 50 years in the food business, it is anticipated that Milo B. Butler & Sons Ltd. will bring the needed expertise to market Bahamian brands both locallyand internationally. Milo B. Butler & Sons Ltd. is the exclusive distributor for wellknown products such as Five Roses flour, Twinings teas, Ronzoni pastas, BlueRibbon rice and a variety of familiar brands. They will use their experience withmarketing to bring awareness to Bahamian-made products.

Food safety Manager at BAIC, Tonja Burrows said that all protocols and safetystandards will be followed in order to ensure that the products meet industrysafety standards. Plans are also underway for a central processing plant that foodprocessors can utilize for their products. She said that BAIC will also work withthe Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality to meet this objective.