By S.Browne. Updated 4:20 p.m., Monday, June 1, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Agribusiness operators in St Vincent and the Grenadines recently participated in a one-day Agribusiness Management Workshop aimed at enhancing knowledge and skills in key areas of business development and export readiness.
In a June 1 press release, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) said the workshop formed part of a broader initiative to strengthen the competitiveness of Caribbean agribusinesses and improve their participation in regional and international trade.
The workshop was held at Frenches House in Kingstown on May 27 and was facilitated by Business Consultant Catilda James.
According to the release, the training addressed challenges identified through a needs assessment conducted among agribusiness operators, which found strong interest in expanding into export markets but also highlighted gaps in food safety and standards, marketing, and business management practices.
Representing IICA Technical Specialist for St Vincent and the Grenadines, Michael Dalton, Administrative and Finance Coordinator for IICA Eastern Caribbean States (ECS), Rosette Bacchus highlighted both the opportunities available to Caribbean agribusinesses and the challenges entrepreneurs often face when transitioning from local production to export operations.
“Many of you are already producing high-quality products and are eager to expand beyond domestic markets. But at the same time, there are clear areas where additional support can make a real difference,” Bacchus told participants.
According to Bacchus, food safety and standards emerged as the highest priority area identified by businesses, with operators expressing the need for greater understanding of export requirements, including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems, product labelling, regulatory compliance and inspection protocols.
The release further noted that marketing and business management skills, including branding, market research, pricing, costing and record-keeping, were also identified as areas requiring additional support.
The one-day workshop focused on costing and pricing, as well as marketing for agribusiness. Participants explored approaches to calculating production costs, developing pricing strategies, strengthening product brands and improving market positioning through a combination of presentations, discussions and practical exercises.
Bacchus encouraged participants to take full advantage of the training opportunity, noting that the workshop was designed to help bridge the gap between producing quality products and accessing new markets.
She also announced that additional training activities are planned for July, including specialised sessions on food safety and further business management topics that could not be fully addressed during the current workshop because of time constraints.
Founded in 1942, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is a specialised agency dedicated to agricultural and rural development. The organisation works with 34 member countries across the Americas, including St Vincent and the Grenadines, to support agriculture, food security, and rural communities through technical cooperation and training programmes.
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