By S.Browne. Updated 11:33 a.m., Friday, June 26, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Agro-processors have been urged to rethink their scale of operation and move beyond what officials describe as a “small-scale mindset”, as St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to grapple with an annual food import bill exceeding EC$200 million.
The call came from Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Transformation, Colville King, as he addressed the opening of an Agro-processing Stakeholders Forum on Wednesday, 24th June, hosted by the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED).
“We’re playing football, and we’re making nice dribbles and nice passes, but we’re not scoring as many goals as we could,” King told stakeholders drawn from financial institutions, government agencies, policymakers and agro-processors.
King said the agro-processing sector remains central to government’s economic strategy, describing agriculture as one of the key pillars for national growth.
“The agricultural sector is one of four vital pillars identified by this current administration to drive economic growth. Perhaps I dare say it is the most important,” he said.
He noted that a significant portion of the country’s import bill is tied to processed food products, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for local producers.
“That represents jobs, income for all persons who wish to partake, but importantly for those in rural communities,” King said. “Processors are contributing to economic development by way of jobs, foreign exchange earnings, foreign exchange savings, and incomes in rural communities.”
A central theme of his address was the need for scale and collaboration within the industry, warning that fragmented, individual efforts were limiting growth potential.
“If I ask around the table how many of you have a million-dollar business in mind, or a five-million-dollar business in mind, I don’t think I would see a lot of hands up. A lot of people are thinking too small,” he said.
King argued that greater volumes would allow agro-processors to reduce unit costs and become more competitive in wider markets, while pointing to the banana industry as an example of successful cooperation.
“Our individualism isn’t working for us all the time. There are times that we need to cooperate in order to access markets. The size of markets that we want to access cannot be achieved simply by individuals,” he said.
He further proposed several areas for sector strengthening, including the development of a certified multi-use processing facility, stronger business clusters, structured partnerships between farmers and processors, and increased youth involvement in the sector.
“Youth bring creativity, energy, and innovation. That helps with your sustainability,” King added.
Speaking on behalf of CED General Manager Ronette Lewis, Training and Education Coordinator Keisha Phillips said the forum was designed to strengthen collaboration and encourage practical solutions within the sector.
“The agro-processing sector plays a vital role in adding value to our agricultural products, creating employment opportunities, strengthening food security, and expanding market access for local producers,” she said.
Phillips added that the forum aimed to encourage open dialogue and innovation among stakeholders as the sector seeks to become more competitive and export-ready.
The event forms part of CED’s ongoing series of engagements focused on assessing challenges, identifying opportunities for growth, and supporting the long-term development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ agro-processing industry.
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