The Government of Dominica and the Dominica Import Export Agency, known as DEXIA, have outlined a national strategy to address the country's trade imbalance by building a domestic poultry industry and expanding agricultural export markets. The plan targets an annual poultry import bill of about EC$19 million, a sum that money could instead keep circulating within the local economy.
The strategy was presented in remarks delivered at Market Day, where officials set out the reasoning behind a shift away from imported poultry products. Dominica currently relies heavily on imports to meet demand for chicken and related products, and the authorities want local production to fill a larger share of that demand over time.
Officials framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to strengthen the country's agricultural base and improve the balance between what Dominica buys from abroad and what it sells. Expanding export markets for farm produce is central to that aim, alongside growing the domestic poultry sector so that fewer foreign dollars leave the island for food that could be grown or raised locally.
The approach links import substitution with export growth, meaning that agricultural producers would be encouraged both to supply the local market and to reach buyers beyond Dominica. Such a dual focus is intended to create farming opportunities, support rural livelihoods and reduce pressure on foreign exchange earnings.
Further details on timelines, investment requirements and the specific support measures for poultry farmers were not set out in the material available for this report. Dominica 1 will follow the implementation of the strategy and report on its progress as the Government and DEXIA announce further steps.
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