The owner and operator of Bobby’s Supermarket, Elton Leonard, said this is in keeping with Premier Andrew Fahie’s recent budget statement that the results of his government’s multimillion dollar stimulus grant to more than 400 farmers and fisherfolk “can be seen in our supermarkets”.

Speaking with BVI News on Monday, Leonard said: “In terms of food, we have seen an increase in green vegetables such as cucumber and spinach. As the Premier had also mentioned, we have seen a massive increase in local seafood and also meat products such as eggs.”

“The egg production locally has increased tremendously since the pandemic happened. Before COVID, there were one and two egg suppliers to the supermarket in the territory. However, there have been plenty more and sometimes we have to be refusing some local eggs because production has almost doubled,” he added.

Imported goods decrease

Leonard further said imported goods have decreased significantly since the beginning of the pandemic as markets across the world have reduced production because of the pandemic and its effects on food production globally.

While the supermarkets are seeing an increase in the local production of green vegetables, seafood and meat products, ground provision has a long way to go. BVI News visited the three major supermarkets in the territory — Bobby’s, OneMart and RiteWay — and noticed most of the provisions were imported.

Supply for local provisions

One attendant at RiteWay said there were low amounts of local provisions as the supply did not consistently meet the demands of the supermarket.

Over at OneMart, our news team observed the workers unboxing imported bananas and packing them on the shelf. Most of the produce there were imported and an attendant confirmed what Leonard had said about locally-grown green vegetables. He noted there was an increase in local vegetables such as cucumber in the supermarket.

Food security

Food security in the Virgin Islands has been an issue raised by many people in the last few months and the government has been implementing plans to tackle the issue.

Fahie had announced the allocation of $408,00 to the development of the East End Harbour Development to improve infrastructure for fishermen who operate out of the area.

There have also been plans for an agricultural certification course at the H Lavitty Stoutt Community College for farmers and any other interested persons starting this month.

Also, the Food Security and Sustainability Bill proposed by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Dr Natalio Wheatley has been revised and is expected to be before parliament for a decision soon.