By S.Browne. Updated 3:05 p.m., Saturday, May 16, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The Seamoss Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SMASVG) says it is working with European Union stakeholders to address longstanding export challenges affecting the local seamoss industry.
The Vincentian delegation participated in the European Union’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in Barbados from May 7 to 9 under the EU-Caribbean Food Security Programme coordinated by the International Trade Centre (ITC), where sustainable and value-added Caribbean products were highlighted as part of discussions surrounding food security, the blue economy and export development.
For the local seamoss industry, however, the event represented more than a promotional showcase.
According to SMASVG, the engagement comes after more than 20 years of export-related restrictions and challenges affecting St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ ability to access European markets for marine-based products.
“We are working directly with the European Union to break through this barrier. This is a critical opportunity for the seamoss industry and for St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a whole,” representative of SMASVG Ronita Ollivierre said.
Industry stakeholders believe renewed access to the European market could create significant opportunities for foreign exchange earnings, entrepreneurship, and rural livelihoods, particularly within coastal communities involved in harvesting and processing seamoss.
At the Barbados showcase, dried seamoss was presented as the industry’s primary export-ready product, supported by lab testing, quality standards, and small-batch production methods aimed at meeting international market expectations.
SMASVG also showcased a range of value-added products, including seamoss-based food and beverages, cosmetics, and wellness items, while highlighting emerging pharmaceutical applications for seamoss.
Among the Vincentian entrepreneurs and brands featured were Miss Cassandra’s, Tash’s Dusk til Dawn, Marslyn’s, Mark’s Produce, Seamoss Boss Canouan, Pure Canouan Seamoss and Ocean Remedies.
Visitors also participated in a mobile seamoss experience featuring product tastings, demonstrations, and discussions focused on seamoss education, usage, and benefits. Organisers said the response from Barbadians, international visitors, and Vincentians in the diaspora was overwhelmingly positive.
The showcase also generated interest in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a tourism destination, with industry representatives noting that seamoss could support tourism promotion alongside export development.
A delegation of ambassadors and international representatives reportedly praised the quality and presentation of the Vincentian products, while discussions also focused on entrepreneurship, value-chain development, and the circular economy.
“We are delighted to support the Sea Moss Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in this important step. Seamoss embodies the values of sustainability, innovation, and food security that the EU-Caribbean Food Security Programme seeks to promote,” said Cindy Eugene of the International Trade Centre.
Programme Officer at the ITC, William Castro Rodriguez, said the initiative reflects wider efforts to strengthen trade links between Caribbean producers and European buyers.
“This is about building bridges between Caribbean producers and European markets, and Seamoss is a perfect example of value-added potential,” he said.
The Barbados programme included marketplace exhibitions at the Barbados Film Festival, business-to-business meetings with regional and European distributors, site visits, and Europe Day activities centred on sustainable food systems.
SMASVG said the engagement represents a significant step toward unlocking new export opportunities while strengthening the international profile of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ seamoss industry.
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