When the world thinks of the Caribbean, it pictures turquoise waters, white sands, and lush landscapes. But for those of us analyzing global food systems, the picture is more complex. Behind the paradise aesthetic lies a fragile food system heavily reliant on imports, vulnerable to supply chain shocks, and increasingly threatened by climate change.
At Agritecture, we believe the Caribbean represents one of the most compelling use cases for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in the world. However, the path to success here isn't about copy-pasting solutions from the Netherlands or New York; it requires a strategy deeply rooted in local climate realities and economic data.
Historically, agriculture dominated Caribbean economies. A 2019 FAO report notes that sugar and banana exports once accounted for the bulk of foreign revenue. After preferential trade deals with the European Union ended, many countries shifted to services and tourism. Today agriculture contributes less than 1 % of GDP in tourism‑driven islands such as Aruba and St Kitts, but it remains crucial in places like Haiti, Dominica, Guyana and Grenada where it accounts for 7–17 % of GDP and employs 10–25 % of the workforce. In Haiti nearly half of all workers still depend on farming.
Crop mix is changing. A 2019 analysis in Choices Magazine reported that Caribbean and Central American countries produced roughly 170 million tonnes of raw food and fiber worth US$21.65 billion in 2017. Traditional crops such as sugar, bananas, coffee, cocoa and tobacco still occupy large acreage, but their share of value has stagnated. Tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, papaya, avocado and guava surged from 12 % to 28 % of total value over two decades. Pineapple production now surpasses bananas in value, with leaders including Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. Vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, onions) and oil crops also expanded, reflecting a growing regional and international demand.
Despite this agricultural output, Caribbean populations remain highly food insecure. The World Food Programme’s 2025 Caribbean Food Security & Livelihoods Survey found that 3.2 million people (42 % of those surveyed) were food insecure, with progress stalled since the 2022 food‑price crisis. Ninety‑four percent of respondents reported higher food prices, 40 % experienced natural hazards like storms or droughts, and 30 % were skipping meals. To cope, households spent savings (65 %) or cut health and education expenses (48 %). Food inflation remained high in Jamaica (7.4 %), Guyana (5.6 %), St Vincent & the Grenadines (4.8 %) and Trinidad & Tobago (3.9 %) at the start of 2025. Many farmers also faced disruptions from high fertilizer and feed costs and from climate‑related shocks.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) currently imports approximately 80-90% of its food, with a regional food import bill exceeding $6 billion USD annually.
This dependency creates two critical vulnerabilities:
The "25 by 2025" initiative, CARICOM’s plan to reduce the food import bill by 25% by 2025, has set the stage for investment. But how do we get there?
Traditional open-field farming in the Caribbean faces a brutal adversary: the climate crisis. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and the existential threat of hurricanes make soil-based farming increasingly risky.
CEA (Greenhouses and Vertical Farms) offers a solution by decoupling production from these external variables.
While the potential is clear, the graveyard of failed agricultural projects in the tropics is a warning sign. Moving forward requires honesty about the barriers.
Energy costs in the Caribbean are among the highest in the world, often ranging from $0.30 to $0.40+ per kWh, compared to ~$0.12 in the US.
CEA is capital intensive. Building a hurricane-resistant glasshouse costs significantly more than a hoop house.
There is a gap in local technical knowledge for managing complex hydroponic systems.
We are already seeing the shift.
We don't just advocate for urban farming; we plan it with mathematical precision. In a region where electricity costs can break a business model, Feasibility Studies are not optional, they are survival.
We support Caribbean developers, investors, and governments through three phases:
The Caribbean has the sun, the market demand, and the urgent need. What it needs now is data-driven planning.
Whether you are a resort owner looking to secure your supply chain, or an investor eyeing the "25 by 2025" opportunity, Agritecture is ready to help you navigate the complexities of CEA in the tropics.
Contact us today to start your Feasibility Study: niko@agritecture.com
The Caribbean faces a dual challenge: producing enough nutritious food for its population while navigating limited land, climate risks and economic constraints. Controlled‑environment agriculture offers a promising tool to bolster food security by enabling year‑round, resource‑efficient production close to urban centers. Yet high start‑up and operating costs, limited crop varieties and energy reliance hinder widespread adoption. Successful examples in Barbados, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Trinidad show that with the right design, renewable energy integration and training, CEA can deliver fresh produce and reduce import dependence. Agritecture stands ready to help Caribbean governments, entrepreneurs and communities assess the feasibility of CEA systems, design resilient farms and build a sustainable food future.