OECS – Venezuela Agriculture Trade Route Possibilities

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has concluded the first round of discussion with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on issues relating to the possibility of trading agricultural commodities and fertilizer between the two countries, with opportunities for the wider OECS.

Hon. Saboto Caesar, Minister of Agriculture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, noted that the Ministry’s Agri– Export Strategy Initiative has, as a central pillar of its 2017 agenda, the objective of exporting to non-traditional markets. 

This would include exploring opportunities for the mutual benefit of farmers and agricultural stakeholders in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which are expected to exchange goods and services.  The recently opened Argyle International Airport provides a new opportunity for increased airlift to Venezuela

President Hugo Chavez established the ALBA framework mechanism for the exchange of oil for food and other products and services.  Currently, Nicaragua conducts significant trade with Venezuela in cattle under the Petro-Alimentos Programme. Several high-level trade delegations from Venezuela have visited St. Vincent and the Grenadines over the past fourteen months, aimed at establishing the trading platform.

Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, His Excellency Yuri Pimental, noted that in the spirit of reciprocity, an OECS-Venezuela trade will open a great channel for traders from South America to move manufactured products to St Vincent and the Grenadines, and the region to enhance a southern trade of CARICOM products.  

Trinidad and Tobago over the past twelve months has increased its trade with Venezuela in non-traditional commodities.  The idea of establishing a South-South Trade Co-Operation Mechanism has been articulated by several State and Non-State Actors.

The Ministry of Agriculture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has successfully coordinated new markets for dasheen and ginger with several exporters. RASFARCO, a locally registered co-operative in St.Vincent and the Grenadines, has answered the call by the OECS Commission to increase inter-regional trade.  

RASFARCO currently exports from a rural community, an average of EC$20,000.00 worth of goods weekly. President of RASFARCO, Alvin Buffa Collins, commended the leadership of the OECS Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the members of his Organisation for moving forward with this excellent export program. RASFARCO, like other cooperatives and exporters, are expected to benefit from the Petro-Alimentos Programme.

Minister Caesar concluded that St. Vincent and the Grenadines will not be alone in this South-South Trade. He will ensure that all OECS producers have an opportunity for engagement in order to make the trade both meaningful and viable. Agriculture Ministers of the OECS Member States will meet in St. Vincent and the Grenadines concluded on July 25, 2017. 

Issues of food security, the Sub-Region Food Import Bill Reduction Strategy and the FAO Sub-Regional Zero Hunger Programme formed part of the one-day agenda for discussion.

The Council of Ministers of Agriculture meeting concluded with a clear commitment to establish an intra-regional trade platform to reduce food import bill in member countries, and to work with the private sector in the region to assist in facilitating this important process.