Antigua’s agricultural sector is confronting a severe animal feed shortage crisis that has escalated in early 2026, exposing critical vulnerabilities in the nation’s food supply chain. Farmers report that the essential weekly feed shipment from Jamaica failed to arrive without explanation, leaving feed shops completely depleted and poultry operations in jeopardy.
The supply interruption has had immediate devastating consequences for small-scale farmers whose livelihoods depend on egg-laying chickens. Many were unable to feed their flocks throughout last week, directly threatening their primary source of family income. The situation raises alarming questions about the island’s preparedness for actual emergencies, with farmers questioning how the system would withstand hurricanes or other disasters given its current fragility.
This crisis represents the culmination of years of systemic problems within Antigua’s animal agriculture support infrastructure. The closure of Abbot farm shop previously forced many farmers to abandon sheep and goat operations due to the unavailability of basic veterinary supplies like wormers. The Poultry Association’s takeover of feed distribution from Abbott has reportedly worsened the situation, creating concerns about equitable access to limited resources.
Small farmers now openly challenge whether larger operations receive preferential treatment while their own birds go hungry. The agricultural community warns that the situation has reached critical levels, demanding immediate government intervention and long-term strategic planning to secure sustainable feed sources and disaster-resistant supply chains.