Traditional

Guernsey has a diverse range of traditional industries. Farming is still prominent in the island and Guernsey’s distinctive breed of cow is still found extensively in the island and throughout the world. Horticulture was once Guernsey’s most prevelant industry and biggest exporter. Flowers and tomatoes were our mainstays for many years but now just serve the island. The Guernsey jumper will be recognised throughout the world but is now just a fraction of the industry it was during the last century. Fishing is also still popular but does little but supply the local community and its restaurants.

Guernsey has always had two key advantages – its position in the English Channel and the ability of the islanders to spot a business opportunity. In medieval times the harbour was a hive of activity as the island acted as an entreport with traders using the island to distribute wine from Bordeaux and selling corn and fish to the French in return.

The greatest advances in terms of prosperity for the island happened in 1689 and the early 1800’s. Guernsey became a free port and took advantage of the opportunity to ‘export’.

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