Antigua and Barbuda will deepen its trade partnership with Guyana in 2026 to import more affordable food staples, a move Prime Minister Gaston Browne says will help stabilise supermarket prices and strengthen regional supply chains.
Browne made the announcement during the presentation of the 2026 national budget on Thursday, noting that Guyana remains one of the region’s most reliable sources of competitively priced agricultural goods. He said expanding the import relationship will give Antiguan consumers access to cheaper items at a time when lowering the cost of living remains a national priority.
“We will be working closely with our Guyanese partners to bring in more affordable staples,” Browne told Parliament, framing the collaboration as part of a broader shift towards food security and resilient supply networks. He said the move is expected to support the government’s recent suspension of the 42 percent Common External Tariff on selected food items, which is already set to reduce shelf prices within weeks.
The Prime Minister emphasized that supplementing local production with lower-cost imports from within the region is a strategic response to global volatility in shipping costs and commodity markets. He said Guyana’s large-scale agricultural output and proximity to Antigua and Barbuda make it an ideal partner for stabilising food prices throughout 2026.
According to Browne, the partnership will focus on staples with the highest price sensitivity for consumers, including grains, vegetables, ground provisions and other bulk imports that reflect a significant share of household grocery spending. The government expects that improved sourcing will help counter past spikes caused by supply chain disruptions during the pandemic.
The initiative also aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen local agriculture by encouraging citizens to “buy local” and reduce the food import bill over the long term. Browne said expanding both domestic production and regional import links will help cushion families from future economic shocks.
The budget debate continues next week.
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