Grape production: A traditional crop threatened in the South of Haiti

In front of his corrugated iron cottage in Chardonnières, Camille Georges, who has been growing fruit for 40 years, breaks into a smile as he contemplates his small vineyard, overlooking his courtyard

Grape production, a traditional crop in the commune of Chardonnières, located in the South, dates back to the colonial era.

This commune, located in the coastal area between Port-à-Piment and Les Anglais, represents one of the oldest and most important in terms of grape production in the country.

A map of the municipality of Chardonnières. Source: Google Earth| January 31, 2025

Sold by the bunches on site or transported to Les Cayes or Port-au-Prince, these vines allow winegrowers to produce a wine of exquisite distinction.

To this day there are few homes in Chardonnières without a small vineyard added to the decor. The roofs of large homes are even adorned with small arbors.

However, faced with conservation and waste issues, production has been weakened by shrinking markets – namely due to challenges in selling the product in Port-au-Prince – as well as demographic pressure on the spaces dedicated to its cultivation, according to half a dozen wine growers interviewed by AyiboPost.

A vineyard in Chardonnières. Photo : Jabin Phontus | August 3, 2024

In 2020, production reached 250 kg per arbor, or around 26 metric tons per year, according to data collected by the Agence d’Appui à une Gouvernance Agricole (PAGAI).

Espérance Richard began producing grapes in 1977.

A Chardonnières native, Richard benefited from training as a winegrower at the time thanks to an Italian professional through a cooperative of which they were a member.

Faced with conservation and waste issues, production has been weakened by shrinking markets – namely due to challenges in selling the product in Port-au-Prince.

According to Richard, at the time, every farmer had at least one vine garden in their home.

Someone was responsible for collecting the harvests in order to sell it in other municipalities.

“These sales came back to us in the form of school kits. That way, we could have books, backpacks and other items for the children,” the man explains to AyiboPost.

In front of his corrugated iron cottage in Chardonnières, Camille Georges, who has been growing this fruit for 40 years, breaks into a smile as he contemplates his small vineyard, overlooking his courtyard.

The climbing vines twist around the wooden supports planted in the garden, forming a canopy of foliage that fills the space with a refreshing burst of greenery.

The man harvests his grapes in March, during the feast of Saint Anne.

This time of year, the grapes are in high demand from vacationers and expatriates who regularly visit for the patronal festival.

A vineyard in Chardonnières. Photo : Jabin Phontus | August 3, 2024

But, for Camille Georges, the lack of adequate means to transform grapes on a large scale into derivative products is lacking.

“A situation which often forces me to opt for selling my harvest,” he confides to AyiboPost.

This challenge, coupled with those linked to the conservation of the fruit, is often the cause of substantial post-harvest losses for producers.

“I had more than 50,000 gourdes of grapes in stock this year. Unfortunately, I only sold 10,000 gourdes worth to nuns in the town of Les Cayes, who needed them to make wine,” he lamented in an interview with AyiboPost in 2024.

The harvested grapes are packed in ordinary plastic bags and then placed in perforated baskets.

This conservation method is commonly used in Chardonnières.

A vineyard in Chardonnières. Photo : Jabin Phontus | August 3, 2024

But for Espérance Richard, owner of five arbors lined with vines for seven years now, this “common” method only delays the rotting of the fruit by a few days.

“Grape production requires more modern conservation systems,” he adds.

Post-harvest losses and related deficits are not the only concerns for producers.

A vineyard in Chardonnières. Photo : Jabin Phontus | August 3, 2024

In the past, they could count on merchants who came to buy the product and then sold it in Port-au-Prince, a route they no longer consider because of the gangs.

Richard describes himself as a direct victim of this situation.

Using coastal shipping from the port of Miragoâne to reach Port-au-Prince is too expensive. The overall cost of the trip is between 15,000 and 30,000 gourdes.

In the past, they could count on merchants who came to buy the product and then sold it in Port-au-Prince, a route they no longer consider because of the gangs.

“These costs make it is difficult to generate substantial profits,” Richard confides to AyiboPost.

The situation, which is worsening, accentuates losses and pushes some to consider abandoning the sector altogether.

This is the case for Gaspart, owner of a vineyard since the 1970s.

“The grapes don’t bring us as much as before. I even plan to destroy my plantation to grow another crop instead,” roars Gaspart.

For years, another concern has threatened grape production.

Agronomist Abner Jean, originally from the area and one of the managers of the Communal Agricultural Office (BAC), warns of the issue of the “increased urbanization of the area which reduces the spaces allocated to this crop over time.”

In 2016, the passage of Hurricane Matthew on the southern coast of the country destroyed numerous vines. But these plants’ sturdy roots have made it possible to revive viticulture in the area.

Grapes don’t bring us as much as before. I even plan to destroy my plantation to grow another crop instead

Camille Georges deplores the absence of State initiatives to effectively support the sector.

Georges mentioned at least one initiative that had received support from the Haitian government.

In 2021, the Haitian State, through the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), donated 50 hectares of land to Le Vieux-Chardo, an agricultural company, in order to support viticulture in Chardonnières, through land development and job creation in the sector.

Since 2011, this vineyard has specialized in the production and marketing of grapes and their derived products, including vinegar and grape juice.

The institution did not respond to a request for comment from AyiboPost.

Despite the challenges, some entrepreneurs are hopeful.

This is the case of Laura Jean Marsan, a local who has been transforming grapes into juice, jam, and cocktails in the municipality for over two years.

She praises the local appreciation for her recipes.

“A bottle of grape juice costs 200 gourdes and people in the neighborhood often ask for it,” insists the woman who dreams of having a “large-scale processing company in town.”

By Junior Legrand & Jabin Phontus

Antoine Figaro participated in this report.

This article was modified on February 5, 2025 at 10:20 am.

Cover : Two hands holding a bunch of grapes. Photo : Freepik

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