Agriculture has been the bedrock of the Mauritius economy for decades. Beginning from a monocrop sector, it is now entirely diversified with over 711 tariff lines. The tariff lines are manufactured regionally and exported. The industrial base of Mauritius has been greatly expanded. The agricultural and agro-processing sector remains an important aspect of the economy. This is because sugar cane fields continue to dominate the panorama of the island. Keeping tempo with the industrial development of the island, the agro-processing sector has gone through widespread modernisation, transformation and diversification. The sugar industry has graduated into the cane industry with production of refined and special sugars, alcohol and rum. The high value-added horticulture, fruits and vegetables and a multitude of processed foods are now manufactured locally.
Agro-Industry has been catering for the demands of the population for years but self-sufficiency nowadays stands at 23%. Today, the sector represents 3.3% of the national economy, with sugar cane cultivation and sugar production as main activities. To reduce dependency on food imports, increase revenues and export earnings, government is actively promoting agricultural and agro-industrial development. With the introduction of budgetary measures which encourage import substitution, food processing, shelter farming, as well as production of higher end products such as nutraceuticals. In order to promote exports of agricultural products grown in Mauritius, Government has extended the Trade Promotion and Marketing Scheme. The Trade Promotion and Marketing Scheme offers a 40% rebate on air freight cost for exports of agro & agri products to Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada and Middle East.
Source: https://www.edbmauritius.org/
Access Date: April 2022
