Spur Tree Spices Unveils “Spice Up Di Ting” Dry Rub Seasoning Line, Reaffirming Commitment to Jamaican Agriculture

Kingston, Jamaica – May 1st, 2024
Spur Tree Spices, a trailblazer in authentic Jamaican culinary products, proudly unveiled its highly anticipated “Spice up di ting” line of dry rub seasonings at a vibrant launch event in Kingston. The celebration, held on May 1st, showcased Spur Tree’s commitment to innovation and the enhancement of Jamaica’s agricultural sector.

Established in 2005, Spur Tree Spices has cemented its position as one of Jamaica’s leading food brands, renowned for its exceptional jerk and wet seasonings. Over the years, the company embarked on a strategic expansion that solidified its presence in several countries, highlighting the international demand for its products.

This strategic growth was further bolstered recently when Spur Tree Spices became an associate company of GraceKennedy Limited (GK), with GK now owning approximately 20.18% of Spur Tree. This followed a series of strategic share purchases by GK Investments Limited, a subsidiary of GraceKennedy. Notably, on April 11, GK Investments acquired 60 million ordinary shares at $2.25 per share for a total purchase price of $135 million. A month earlier, on March 8, the subsidiary had also purchased 11.8 million shares from a Spur Tree director for $26.64 million. GK initially gained a 5.97% stake through the conversion of a loan into equity at Spur Tree’s initial public offering (IPO).

The development of the “Spice up di ting” line, which includes a diverse selection of dry rubs, was a two-year process driven by customer feedback and a meticulous market analysis. Spur Tree Spices’ CEO Albert Bailey emphasized the importance of listening to customers and assessing market trends. “With our increased capacity, it’s fitting for us to venture into the broader market segment of dry seasonings,” Bailey noted.

Founding Director Mohan Jagnarine reaffirmed Spur Tree’s dedication to innovation and local sourcing. “We’ve always aimed to stand out in the market,” Jagnarine stated, emphasizing the dry rubs’ versatility as complete seasonings. The “Spice up di ting” line features jerk, three types of fish, chicken, pork, and all-purpose seasonings, catering to diverse culinary preferences and simplifying cooking with a single product. Jagnarine also reiterated the company’s dedication to supporting local agriculture, saying, “We will buy from local farmers as much as we can get. Our first aim is to source local.”

The event drew notable attendees, including The Hon. Floyd Green, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining. Minister Green praised Spur Tree Spices for its contribution to Jamaica’s agricultural sector and the global recognition of Jamaican flavors. “Spur Tree epitomizes our ministry’s vision and significantly contributes to the growth of the sector. Tonight, we are not just launching new products but celebrating the rebrand of a major Jamaican agricultural enterprise. These revolutionary products will no doubt continue to place Jamaica on the global culinary map,” remarked Minister Green.

The launch event also reaffirmed Spur Tree Spices’ commitment to quality, authenticity, and sustainability. The “Spice up di ting” dry rub line is now available in markets both locally and internationally, poised to spice up kitchens worldwide with a distinctive taste of Jamaica.