Welcome back: Red Stripe returns production to Jamaica
Desnoes and Geddes Ltd. (D&G) announced the return in the production of the iconic beer to Jamaica’s shores at a press conference held at the company’s headquarters yesterday.
Red Stripe moved the production of its beer to City Brewing in Pennsylvania in 2012, however according to Managing Director, Ricardo Nuncio, “It should have never left.”
The return of the iconic beer comes just months after a class-action suit was filed against the manufacturers in the United States, for allegedly deceiving consumers that the beverage was made in Jamaica.
Nuncio recognized Jamaica’s improving macroeconomic conditions as instrumental to the return of production, in addition to investments made by the company including improved efficiencies in the brewery.
According to Nuncio, the company has pumped 5 billion dollars into their operations, with the company projecting to create 300 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs by 2017.
One of the economic spinoffs of the beers return is that it will boost cassava production as the company has replaced imported corn syrup with locally grown cassava, making Red Stripe even more authentic.
Nuncio highlighted that Jamaica currently produces 17,300 tonnes of cassava annually, a figure which is expected to double as the company currently requires at 48,000 tonnes to satisfy its operations.
“We want to make Jamaica a cassava excellent place,” said Nuncio as he went on to describe other indirect jobs created through the return of Red Stipe.
The company’s Chairman, Richard Byles also highlighted the benefits to the overall economy as a result of the beers return, a sentiment echoed byJamaica Manufactures Associations’ President, Metry Seaga.
“Putting Jamaicans to work will support the country’s efforts to get the economy growing and Jamaicans employed in productive enterprise,” said Byles.
Production of Red Stripe in Jamaica is expected to resume September 2016.
