PRESS BRIEF

Government officials and other agriculture stakeholders in Antigua and Barbuda engaged in a consultation exercise as part of the Study on the Regional and International Market Demand for OECS Agriculture Commodities and Products. The study is funded by the OECS RIGHT Programme (Regional Integration Through Growth, Harmonisation and Technology), financed by the European Union, and supports the OECS Food and Agriculture Systems Transformation (FAST) Strategy.

The purpose of the engagement in Antigua and Barbuda is to identify, together with stakeholders, the one agricultural value chain with the greatest potential for the country. The discussions build on a country analysis already prepared for Antigua and Barbuda. It reviewed import demand, prices, and the trade opportunity, and set out recommendations for improving six value chains that can contribute to food and nutrition security, import substitution, climate resilience, jobs and incomes.

Antigua and Barbuda imported about US$186 million in agri-food products in 2024, an increase of 25% since 2021, while domestic agri-food exports remain small. The analysis found that demand is not the constraint but is on engaging the opportunity in producing and processing more of what the country already buys.

What happens next

· The value chain selected in Antigua and Barbuda will be ranked against those chosen by the other participating OECS Member States, using a common tool that scores each value chain on its feasibility and impact.

· The three top-ranked value chains in the region will each benefit from a gap assessment and receive a production and marketing plan to guide their upscaling, including investment needs and links to buyers.

· The results will be used to inform regional action on agriculture and trade.

About the study

The study is being carried out for the OECS Commission by Soleil Solutions Consulting Inc. (SSCI), in partnership with Origin Consultancy Services Ltd. It covers seven OECS Member States: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

— ENDS —

At the Consultation were: Senator Lamin Newton Investment Authority, Ms Milette/General Manager and three staff from CMC, Mr. Martin Cave/Chambers of Commerce, Mr. Neil Gomes and Alvin Christian/farmers, Mr. Michael Joseph and Miss Lania Bynoe/ABAFY, Mrs. Maudvere Bradford/Director of Agriculture, Mr. Ika Fergus/Chief Extension Officer, Dr. Tubal Edwards/Chief Veterinary Officer and Ms. Onecia Anthony/ Extension Officer (ag).