A new regional initiative aimed at strengthening agricultural trade in the Caribbean has been launched following an inception meeting organised by the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA). The initiative forms part of a Caribbean Development Bank-funded project designed to strengthen the framework for intra-regional trade in agricultural products and improve the regulatory environment governing agricultural commerce across the region.
The project will begin by developing ten harmonised Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards for selected priority agricultural commodities. These standards are intended to build on regional trade guidelines previously adopted by the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED–Agriculture). The development process will involve consultations with national authorities and stakeholders from across CARICOM member states to ensure that the standards are aligned with regional needs and practical implementation requirements.
The consultancy work supporting the initiative is being carried out by CAB International (CABI), which will collaborate with CAHFSA, the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism and a Regional Technical Advisory Committee made up of experts in plant health, veterinary services and food safety. This collaborative approach is intended to ensure that the standards are scientifically sound, technically practical and supportive of safe agricultural trade within the region.
Regional leaders emphasised that harmonising SPS standards is an important step toward improving the movement of agricultural products across Caribbean borders. Differences in national SPS regulations have often created challenges for exporters and traders seeking to access markets within the region. The introduction of common standards is expected to provide clearer guidance for producers, regulators and traders while improving the safety and quality of agricultural products traded among Caribbean countries.
The initiative also supports broader regional food security efforts, including the CARICOM Food Security Agenda and the 25 by 2025 + 5 initiative, which aims to reduce the Caribbean’s food import bill by increasing regional food production and trade. By strengthening regulatory frameworks and improving trade conditions, the project seeks to unlock greater potential for regional agricultural markets.
In addition to developing harmonised standards, the project will support capacity-building efforts for national SPS systems and create knowledge and communication resources to strengthen human capital throughout the regional agri-food value chain. The involvement of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism also highlights the importance of fisheries products within the wider regional agricultural and food systems.
Overall, the initiative is expected to contribute to a more integrated and resilient Caribbean agricultural sector by improving regulatory clarity, facilitating trade among member states and enhancing the region’s ability to manage agricultural health and food safety risks effectively.
