The Turks and Caicos Islands, which imports roughly 90 per cent of its food, could benefit from a regional initiative designed to boost Caribbean agricultural production and trade. The CARICOM Vision 25 by 2025+5 program aims to reduce reliance on overseas supplies while fostering economic growth and regional food security.
Speaking at the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture in Jamaica, which concluded on October 2, 2026, CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General Dr Wendell Samuel reported that regional food production increased by approximately 24 per cent between 2022 and 2024. This growth follows investments in infrastructure like cold storage, renewable energy, and climate-smart technologies. Dr Samuel noted that the region’s food import bill reached approximately US$13.7 billion between 2018 and 2020, accounting for about 15 per cent of the regional gross domestic product. He said the initiative is now delivering “tangible results across the community.”
The initiative has been extended to 2030 with a focus on expanding regional trade, attracting investment, and improving nutrition. Dr Samuel emphasized that achieving these goals requires participation from farmers, fishers, and private-sector investors alongside governments. For the TCI, the long-term impact depends on whether increased regional output translates into accessible supplies and strengthened trade relationships, potentially shielding the islands from external supply chain disruptions.