In a significant move to address economic pressures, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has issued a compelling call to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, urging heightened consumption of domestically produced food items. The announcement formed a central pillar of the 2026 national budget presentation this Thursday, positioning agricultural self-sufficiency as a critical mechanism for alleviating the nation’s cost-of-living crisis.
Browne articulated a dual-purpose strategy, framing the initiative as both an economic safeguard and a public health measure. He emphasized that patronizing local farmers and fishers represents the most effective defense for consumers against volatile international market prices. Domestically sourced produce, he noted, offers superior freshness, greater affordability, and significantly reduced exposure to global supply chain disruptions compared to imported alternatives.
“Supporting our local agricultural producers isn’t merely an economic choice—it’s a smart, health-conscious decision that promotes longevity,” Browne declared before Parliament. He underscored the necessity of enhancing domestic production capabilities to stabilize supermarket pricing structures, highlighting how expanded local output diminishes national reliance on expensive food imports that carry substantial freight costs and vulnerability to commodity market fluctuations.
This agricultural push constitutes one component of a comprehensive government strategy to reduce living expenses. Additional measures include suspending the 42% Common External Tariff on specific imported food categories, doubling the financial allocation for the Food Voucher Programme in 2026, and maintaining existing subsidies on liquefied petroleum gas, electricity, and essential household items. Browne positioned these combined tactics as complementary approaches toward establishing a more resilient and stable national food market.
The Prime Minister further connected immediate economic measures with long-term food security objectives, noting that strengthened domestic production capacity reduces vulnerability to global disruptions similar to those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 inflation surge. His administration has committed to continued support for agricultural workers through direct grants, improved land access policies, and modernization of irrigation infrastructure.
This renewed emphasis on local consumption coincides with strengthened trade cooperation with Guyana to import affordable staple goods, while parallel investments continue in domestic production capabilities. Browne characterized both international partnerships and local investment as essential to delivering sustained financial relief to consumers.
The national budget debate is scheduled to continue through the coming week, with further details on agricultural funding expected during parliamentary discussions.