Floyd Green calls for maritime improvements to boost Caribbean food security

Floyd Green, Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, is calling for urgent improvements to maritime logistics to support Caribbean food security. Speaking during the Caribbean Week of Agriculture, Green emphasized that current shipping hurdles prevent the region from meeting the ‘25 by 25’ goal—a CARICOM initiative to reduce food imports by 25% by 2025.

Green identified a systemic failure in regional trade, noting that it is often more cost-effective and reliable to ship produce from the United States or Europe to Caribbean ports than to transport goods between neighboring islands. He highlighted the need for upgraded port infrastructure, increased frequency of shipping vessels, and better cold storage facilities to handle perishable agricultural goods.

In addition to logistical challenges, discussions at the event focused on transforming the regional agricultural ecosystem and addressing labor issues. Green stressed that regional leaders must move beyond discussion to implement actionable policies that directly benefit farmers and fishers, ensuring that commitments made through the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) result in tangible progress.