SVG Agriculture Ministry Signs MOU with Two Leading Supermarkets in Barbados for Exports 

By Admin. Updated 5:09 p.m., Wednesday, 9 April 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

The Ministry of Agriculture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with two leading supermarkets in Barbados to facilitate agricultural exports to the neighbouring island.

The MOU was signed today, Wednesday, 9 April 2025, between the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour and Channell and Trimart Supermarkets.

The Ministry of Agriculture stated that the objective of the MOU is to enhance exports, reduce CARICOM’s food import bill by 25%, foster regional trade, and strengthen food and nutrition security across the region.

Channell and Trimart Supermarkets is based in Barbados and will establish a strategic partnership with consolidators in St. Vincent and the Grenadines through this agreement, St. Vincent’s agriculture ministry said. 

“This collaboration is expected to create expanded export opportunities for local farmers. The Farmacy Fruit and Veg of Barbados is also involved as a key stakeholder, facilitating the connection between the parties and supporting the initiative through trial shipments scheduled for April 2025, followed by full shipments in May 2025 and anticipated increased export demand by June 2025”.

“Hon. Saboto Caesar, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry, and Labour, emphasized that this partnership will play a vital role in strengthening food security and nutrition across the CARICOM region. He also extended his gratitude to Channell and Trimart Supermarkets, as well as the Farmacy Fruit and Veg of Barbados, for their support,” the agriculture ministry said. 

In the MOU, Channell and Trimart Supermarkets wish to promote the provision of a supply of quality food in Barbados, establish a relationship with consolidators in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to provide greater opportunities for farmers and fishers to export to Barbados, promote an environment of fair trade for the benefit of supply chain stakeholders, and assist in production planning to streamline output to meet market demands.

Some targets were also established under the MOU. These targets include that trial shipments by conducted in the month of April 2025, shipments are to commence in May 2025, and projected export demand to be presented by June 2025.

The move comes as CARICOM nations seeks to strengthen regional trade amid the potential impacts of U.S. tariffs, particularly on China which influences the movement of goods in the Caribbean.