A critical examination of Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign exchange allocation has revealed staggering financial commitments to poultry feed imports, prompting calls for strategic regional collaboration. Recent disclosures from Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo indicate that poultry-related enterprises accessed over US$150 million in forex reserves between 2020 and mid-2025, representing a substantial national investment in sustaining imported animal feedstock.
This revelation emerges alongside transformative agricultural developments in neighboring Guyana. The Caricom partner has successfully cultivated approximately 12,000 acres of corn and soya in 2024, with ambitious expansion targets of 25,000-30,000 acres by 2025-2026. Guyana’s strategic initiative aims not only at achieving self-sufficiency in livestock feed production but also at positioning itself as a grain exporter to fellow Caricom nations.
The convergence of these developments presents a pivotal opportunity for Trinidad’s poultry industry. Industry analysts now question whether major integrators, feed millers, agricultural experts, and relevant government agencies have initiated formal engagement with Guyanese authorities. Such collaboration could establish long-term supply agreements for Guyanese corn and soya, potentially priced in mechanisms that gradually reduce Trinidad’s forex exposure.
Parallel to negotiation efforts, an urgent domestic assessment appears necessary. Evaluating port infrastructure, storage capabilities, handling procedures, quality assurance protocols, and potential legislative adjustments would be essential for transitioning from distant suppliers to regional partnerships. This strategic pivot could transform Guyana’s agricultural emergence into a concrete, lower-risk intra-Caricom supply chain for poultry feed.
The scale of forex expenditure on poultry feedstock demands more than routine reassurances—it necessitates a coordinated regional strategy where private sector initiative and government facilitation converge to maximize forex efficiency and regional economic integration.