And while the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries is considering the marijuana and hemp industries more closely, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Ministry of Agriculture is celebrating Belize's first export of Chicken into Grenada. The arrival of this shipment marks the country's first-ever shipment of poultry products into the CARICOM market.
As we told you, Western Dairies Belize, under the Right of Establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), incorporated Western Dairies Grenada Ltd. in 2018. It now serves as a hub for exports into the CARICOM market.
But, while it is a welcomed precedent, this morning, Agriculture Minister Jose Mai told 7News that the shipment had some initial difficulties when it landed in Grenada. Here's how he explained it in a zoom teleconference interview with the press:
Hon. Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, Enterprise
"That shipment took place. Unfortunately, we had some problems in Grenada. The permit expired. The permit was issued in April, but because of Covid the shipment was delayed. There was some delay with the veterinary officer in charge - had recommended that the poultry didn't come in and they were asking for us to buy honey, reciprocal trade. Minister Courtenay ministry was involved and there was dialogue at the ministerial level and I am happy to report that in the end the poultry was allowed to enter Grenada. I think that's history in the making. I want to thank Minister Courtenay and his ministry for assisting and ensuring that they reach an agreement and that the poultry was allowed to enter Grenada."
Western Dairies Grenada Limited has been a conduit for several shipments of Western Dairies ice cream into the Grenada market. This company has now begun diversifying with the export of chicken cuts.
