REVIEW OF THE ECONOMY 2013
27
SUSTAINING GROWTH, SECURING PROSPERITY
outweighed an expansion in acreage under
paddy production through the Commercial
Large Farm Programme.
Other Crops
Citrus
The number of oranges available at the National
Agricultural Marketing and Development
Corporation’s
(NAMDEVCO)
Northern
Wholesale Market increased by 127.5 percent
during October 2012 to March 2013 to
1,240,600 oranges, from545,200 oranges in the
correspondingperiodoneyearearlier. Grapefruit
production also rose sharply, by 47.1 percent,
from 111,400 grapefruits to 163,900 grapefruits
on account of favourable weather conditions
and increased yields achieved through the use
of improved agronomic practices by farmers.
Pineapple
Pineapple production rose by 24.5 percent to
249,528 kilogrammes during the 2012/2013
period, from 200,421 kilogrammes in the
2011/2012 period. The improved performance
has been attributed to favourable weather
conditions, the adoption of good agricultural
practices, and the introduction of a bio-stimulant
programme which has improved both yields and
harvesting times.
Paw Paw
Paw paw production rose by 5.9 percent from
110,976 kilogrammes to 117, 559 kilogrammes
in the period under review, due to favourable
weather conditions.
Livestock and Dairy Products
Poultry
Broiler production increased by 92.4 percent
to 33.3 million kilogrammes in 2012/2013,
from 17.3 million kilogrammes one year earlier.
The local poultry industry continued to face
increased competition from imported chicken.
This is largely due to the removal of the import
surcharge in 2007, and the removal of the
Common External Tariff on certain poultry
products, including backs, necks and wings in
2006. However, in March 2013, Government
agreed to reintroduce the import surcharge at
a rate of 15 percent on imported chicken. This
measure is expected to impact positively on the
poultry sub-sector.
Dairy Cow (Milk)
Dairy milk production increased by 7.1 percent
to 1.5 million litres in the 2012/2013 period from
1.4 million litres in the corresponding 2011/2012
period.
Apiculture (Bees)
Honey production increased by 36.4 percent
over the review period to 60,000 litres from
44,000 litres. Favourable weather conditions
contributed to the increase. Notwithstanding,
the sub-sector encountered a number of
challenges, including high cost of imported
inputs, praedial larceny and insufficient land for
foraging.
MANUFACTURING
OVERVIEW
Trinidad and Tobago’s manufacturing sector is
projected to grow in real terms by 6.1 percent
during 2013, marking a turnaround on the
estimated 0.4 percent contraction recorded
during 2012
(Appendix 2)
. This strong growth
was driven by a recovery in cement production
in 2013 following a sharp fall in production in
2012. In light of the recovery, the manufacturing
sector is expected to increase its share of real
GDP from 8.8 percent in 2012, to 9.2 percent in
2013.
The manufacturing sub-sectors are projected
to record mixed performances during 2013.
THE REAL ECONOMY
