Barbados faces a growing agricultural crisis as local pork producers confront what industry leaders describe as unfairly priced imports that threaten to undermine domestic farming operations. With Christmas traditions driving heightened demand for ham, Barbados Agricultural Society CEO James Paul has sounded the alarm about import practices that he claims disadvantage both farmers and the national economy.
Paul asserts that Barbados has achieved sufficient domestic production to completely meet seasonal demand for both pork and poultry, rendering imports unnecessary. Despite local farmers increasing output specifically for the holiday season, certain companies continue to import pork products at significantly reduced duty rates. This practice, according to Paul, results in millions of dollars in lost foreign exchange and deprives government coffers of substantial tariff revenue.
“The farmers of Barbados have catered this year for the Christmas season, and we have ample supplies,” Paul stated in an interview with Barbados TODAY. “We have a situation where people have Champagne tastes and mauby pockets. We utilize valuable foreign exchange that we have borrowed to finance unnecessary importation.”
The agricultural representative highlighted particular concern over imported products entering at approximately 184% below the appropriate duty rate. This pricing advantage creates what Paul characterizes as “unfair competition” that potentially includes dumped products from both within and outside the region.
Meanwhile, Acado (Barbados) Limited, the nation’s leading distributor of local ham brands including Farmer’s Choice, EVE, and Hilldale, reports preparing for strong seasonal demand. Food and Consumer Director Joy-Ann Carter indicated that retailers are maintaining robust inventory levels to accommodate Christmas traditions, with heightened visibility and product variety expected throughout December.
“While hams are available throughout the year, our Bajan traditions of consuming ham increase during the Christmas season,” Carter noted, adding that the company also offers turkey alternatives for consumers who avoid pork.
The contrasting narratives reveal a complex economic tension between supporting domestic agricultural production and meeting consumer preferences during Barbados’ most significant culinary season.