CED Hosts Inaugural Agro-Processing Forum to Strengthen Sector Growth 

By S.Browne. Updated 6:08 p.m., Friday, May 15, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

The Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED) has convened its inaugural Agro-Processing Forum, bringing together agro-processors from across St. Vincent and the Grenadines to confront key challenges, explore growth opportunities, and strengthen collaboration within the sector.

Held on Thursday, 14 May 2026 at the Methodist Church Wesley Hall, the forum gathered forty-five participants who engaged in structured discussions on issues affecting production, market access, financing, packaging, standards, and technology adoption, while also identifying pathways for industry expansion and rural development.

CED General Manager, Mrs. Ronette Lewis, underscored the strategic importance of agro-processing to national development and enterprise growth.

“Agro-processing continues to represent significant opportunities for value addition, entrepreneurship, and export development for St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” she said. “At CED, we remain committed to supporting the growth and competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within the agro-processing industry. By working together, we can build a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable industry that contributes meaningfully to national development.”

Participants identified both structural constraints and emerging opportunities within the sector, noting that while access to financing, standards compliance, packaging, market access, and technology adoption remain persistent challenges, there is strong potential for export expansion, youth engagement, and rural economic development.

Representative of the Department of Private Sector Development within the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Carlon James, reaffirmed Government’s commitment to strengthening the private sector and supporting MSME development.

“Agro-processing remains a critical pillar for economic diversification, rural development, food security, and value addition within St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said. “As we continue to strengthen linkages between agriculture, manufacturing, and trade, forums such as this provide an important platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration.”

He added that stakeholder input is essential in shaping future policy direction.

“While the sector continues to face challenges relating to financing, standards, packaging, market access, and technology adoption, there are also significant opportunities for growth, export expansion, and youth engagement. It is our hope that today’s discussions will contribute toward practical strategies and policy recommendations that can further unlock the potential of the agro-processing industry in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

The forum concluded with a commitment from CED to translate the insights gathered into actionable support for agro-processors. A second stakeholder engagement is planned to further explore solutions across the value chain and develop a coordinated roadmap for sector development.

The Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED) is a non-profit organisation established by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2005 to support and stimulate private sector growth. CED provides business development support, training, advocacy, and institutional strengthening for MSMEs, with the aim of increasing the number of viable MSMEs, improving the support ecosystem for entrepreneurship, and promoting a business climate conducive to sustainable economic growth in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

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