Caribbean rum body names first female chair

Margaret Monplaisir has been appointed chair of the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers Association (Wirspa) – the first time a woman has held the role in the body’s 50-year history.

Monplaisir is a 37-year veteran of the rum industry, and currently heads St Lucia Distillers.

She has been a member of the Wirspa board of directors for a number of years.

This also marks the first time the association will be led by a member of the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States.

She said: “We have many challenges to face, both in our supply chains and in the international market, but our products speak for themselves, and we see a bright future for Caribbean Rum.”

Clement ‘Jimmy’ Lawrence, head of the Jamaica rum producers, has also been elected to a new role – Lawrence will assume the position of vice-chair of Wirspa.

Three new directors have also been hired: Antoine Couvreur of Mount Gay Distilleries in Barbados, Graham Williams of Renegade Rum in Grenada, and Perla Perdomo of Travellers Liquors of Belize.

Rum industry challenges

Wirspa members, including those from all the countries of the Caribbean community and the Dominican Republic, held a meeting under previous chair Komal Samaroo to discuss the issues important to rum producers, such as facilitating the opening of markets for premium rum exports.

Monplaisir said: “The region is poised to realise the opportunities presented by new non-traditional markets, and has the quality products, packaging and production capacity to take advantage of the rapid growth in premium spirits demand in these emerging markets.”

Another key issue discussed was excessive consumption of rum by consumers.

Monplaisir added: “We have already made great progress over the past few years to improve labelling and most of our products now carry advice against drinking under the legal age, drinking while pregnant, and drinking while driving, as well as information on servings and calories.

“But we need to go further. We also agreed to ramp up our efforts to implement practical measures to reduce access by underage persons to alcohol and to support government efforts around reducing drinking and driving. We have the resources and the commitment to make a difference and we intend to do so.”

Secretary officials were also present at the meeting.

Samaroo commented: “We have always enjoyed a productive and cordial relationship with secretariat officials, and this engagement cemented that. It complements our close collaboration with our governments to ensure the continued growth of this very important industry, for some time now, the number one non-mineral export earner for the region.”

Other topics discussed include challenges in the supply chain, the sourcing of raw materials such as molasses and climate considerations.

In 2021, SB spoke to the CEO of Wirspa to discuss regulators refusing to back the industry’s call for clearer proof of provenance.