National

Womens Haven: “Our Shipment Was Delayed Three Weeks”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A Bahamian-owned feminine care company is feeling the strain as rising global tariffs disrupt international shipping and increase operational costs.

Published

4 months ago

April 17, 2025

Delvardo Emmanuel

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Bahama-Based Feminine Care Brand Faces Supply Chain Struggles Amid Global Tariff Hikes

A Bahamian-owned feminine care company is feeling the strain as rising global tariffs disrupt international shipping and increase operational costs.

For Women’s Haven, these changes could mean tougher choices ahead, including higher prices and a streamlined product line.

Founded in 2018, Women’s Haven is a proudly Bahamian organic feminine care brand that has grown to serve customers in ten Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, Guyana, and the Cayman Islands. Its mission? High-quality menstrual products at an affordable price.

But according to co-founder and CEO Meredith Johnson-Evans, recent global trade tensions are throwing a wrench into that mission.

“Our entire existence and everything that we’re about has been centered around delivering high-quality pads at a very low cost,” she explained.

The company manufactures its products in China, which is now facing increased trade barriers. Johnson-Evans says one of their latest shipments was delayed after the new tariffs were announced, leaving her team uncertain about when and how the products would arrive, and at what extra cost.

“We had a big order that was scheduled to ship, but once the news broke, everything was paused. The logistics team needed to figure out the new route and pricing before moving forward,” she said.

One of the alternatives being considered is rerouting shipments through Panama instead of the United States. But that option, Johnson-Evans explained, creates complications for the brand’s broader regional network.

“If I ship from Panama to The Bahamas, I cut out the rest of the countries we supply. The U.S. is the central hub for distribution across the Caribbean. We can’t skip it.”

In response to the growing challenges, Women’s Haven may need to make some tough calls. Johnson-Evans says a slight price increase is likely, and the company may reduce the number of products offered, focusing instead on best-sellers.

Still, she remains committed to her company’s core mission of improving access to feminine care and menstrual education across the region.

“We’re not going anywhere,” she emphasized. “Yes, prices may go up slightly for wholesalers and consumers. And no, we may not carry every item we used to. But we will keep going and concentrate on what matters most.”

As regional markets continue to react to shifting global trade dynamics, Women’s Haven is determined to stay the course, no matter how bumpy the road ahead may be.