More that fifty (50) representatives from the hot pepper sector in twelve (12) countries across the region converged at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel mid July 2007 to discuss issues pertaining to the sector's competitiveness and innovation, and to explore the linkages between the processors and producers. An exceptional slate of regional and international experts at this "Diversification of Hot Pepper Industry through Cross-Sector Linkages and Capacity Development" Workshop, provided participants with tried and tested market entry strategies, pitfalls, lessons learned and "tricks of the trade". Issues of professionalism and trust, standards and packaging, sheer persistence and innovation were the order of the day. Leading regional companies included Busha Browne and Island Grill (Jamaica), Erica's (St. Vincent & the Grenadines), De La Grenade (Grenada) and Baron Foods (St. Lucia).

According to Mike Jones of Griffith Laboratories, Trinidad and Tobago, "global cuisines, particularly those of North Africa, Caribbean, Asia and the Middle East, will continue to drive new foods and flavour trend using pepper". Product innovations also go beyond the food industry to the health and wellness sector where pepper products are now being applied in prostate cancer, asthma and cardiovascular system research. Pepper is the number one spice in terms of per capita consumption in the world and is indigenous to Central & South America & the West Indies. In 2004, total USA imports of sauces and mixed condiments was US$ 1.1 billion, CARICOM exports of pepper sauce to the USA was US$11.9 mn in that same year."

Fitz D Hoyte, Principal, Rapsodee Gourmet Island Foods Inc, Barbados stated that "The workshop presented an opportunity for me to better understand the industry, its challenges and its opportunities and afforded us the opportunity to offer new options, applications and possible markets".

Ms Taiana Mora-Ramis, Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) agreed that "the workshop was productive and presented participants with the opportunity to network and look at clustering initiatives in the sector." She also disclosed that "An organizing committee was formed to look at the way forward as well as assessing what market opportunities they are all missing by not focusing on a regional approach to the sector's development." IICA Representative Ena Harvey, and Melvin Edwards, IICA's Regional AgriBusiness Specialist will also work to ensure that this committee receives all possible assistance to enable the Caribbean to capture a slice of this hot, hot market.