Central Buying Platform Created to Benefit Farmers and Strengthen Agriculture

By S.Browne. Updated 9:35 a.m., Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

A central purchasing platform has been established to support local farmers while strengthening the overall performance of the agricultural sector in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The platform was created by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines under the guidance of Minister of Agriculture, Saboto Caesar, with aims to stabilise prices, reduce post-harvest losses, and ensure a consistent market for locally grown produce.

The newly registered company, Eastern Caribbean Food Traders, will serve as the primary purchasing entity. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Mr James Gibson.

The platform is intended to buy produce directly from farmers, streamlining the supply chain and avoiding steps that often result in lower prices for producers. Its operations are expected to cover a wide variety of crops for both local consumption and regional export, providing farmers with reliable opportunities for trade.

The establishment of the central buying platform aims to address key challenges faced by Vincentian farmers, including market access and price volatility. By providing a guaranteed buyer, the initiative is intended to encourage farmers to increase production and invest with greater confidence.

The programme is also expected to stimulate the rural economy and contribute to more stable incomes for agricultural households.

The Ministry of Agriculture has collaborated with regional partners, including the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), to secure funding and logistical support for the platform’s operations.

The initiative is seen as transformative, supporting local farmers and contributing to the nation’s goal of becoming the “breadbasket of the Southern Caribbean.”

This information was sourced from a press release sent to us by A Barnwell and Jackson Company.