Senator meets with fresh produce exporters to address freight challenges

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7 JUNE 2021, ST, GEORGE’S: Agriculture and Fisheries Senator Roderick St. Clair met with fresh produce exporters on Monday, 7 June 2021 to address a major challenge to the industry – freight. The current freight arrangement is unreliable, limited and truncated. 

Callalloo, breadfruit, breadnut and soursop are some of the main items exported. The fresh produce exporters have a capacity to export 50,000 – 60,000 pounds weekly, and members of the sector must have their bulk cargo exported in a more efficient manner. The sector employs 500 – 600 people with $150,000 in salaries into the economy and $300,000 paid directly to farmers. 

The senator has noted their concerns, and the negative impact this situation has on the farming community, as Grenada is losing export market opportunities; farmers’ income is lessened and the foreign exchange is significantly affected, especially in this current situation. The exporters want to see a plan to improve the volume and frequency of freight leaving Grenada. 

The senator is committed to working closely with them and engaging the government and the freight and cargo agents in Grenada to find a sustainable solution to maximise the potential for the fresh produce exporters and farmers. The senator noted that there is also an opportunity for partnership with the fishing sector which is affected by the same freight challenges. 

END

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