Barbados and India have signed a major agreement to build a modern coconut processing plant in Barbados.
The deal was sealed at Pelican House in St. Michael, with senior officials from both countries attending.
The project is part of Barbados’ plan to re-industrialize and expand its agro-processing sector.
Export Barbados CEO Mark Hill said the investment will use Indian technology and create full value chains for coconut products. He thanked India for its support and hinted at more partnerships ahead.
Industry Minister Johnathan Reid said the collaboration could extend into digital and payment technologies where India is a leader.
Indian High Commissioner Subhash P. Gupta said the plant will be the first of its kind in Barbados, producing coconut water, pulp, biodegradable coir, and other products. He invited a Barbadian team to visit Kerala, a major coconut-growing region in India, for training and exchange.
The plant will also explore biogas production from coconut waste, supporting Barbados’ green agenda. It is expected to create jobs, help small businesses, cut waste, and boost exports.
Barbados is expected to source coconuts for its new processing plant mainly from local small-scale farms, such as A.T. Nicholls’ operation, which already supplies coconuts to processors like the West Indies Rum Distillery.
Supply may also be strengthened through initiatives such as the Alliances for the Coconut Industry Development Expansion and Enhanced Support for the Caribbean, which provide training in sustainable farming, establish nurseries with thousands of seedlings, distribute young coconut palms to growers, and build networks of producers to ensure a steady, sustainable supply for the expanding coconut industry.
Source: Barbados GIS.
