The sugar, tobacco and cotton grown on the plantations were shipped back to the countries that had colonised the Caribbean. Very little of the wealth that came from these products stayed on the islands. The slaves on the plantations often died of overwork and malnutrition.

Today, agriculture is still important, but tourism is a greater source of income. Bananas, the major export crop, are grown in Jamaica and the Windward Islands, but Caribbean growers have to compete against cheaper bananas from Central and South America. Some islands like Antigua do not grow sugar any more, because world prices are so low. Cotton is now grown only for local use. Large hotels import much of the food they use, so local farmers do not benefit much from tourism.

Natural disasters add to the difficulties of Caribbean agriculture. There are hurricanes every year. In 1994, tropical storm Debbie flooded Saint Lucia and destroyed over two thirds of the banana crop. The next year, hurricanes Luis and Marilyn hit Dominica and other areas.

“In the English Speaking World”