Strengthening Traceability in the Caribbean Agro-Food Sector: CAHFSA Contributes to Regional Workshop in Panama

The Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) participated in the Exchange Workshop on Fisheries and Aquaculture Traceability in the Wider Caribbean, held on April 13–14, 2026, in Panama City. The workshop, organized under the PROCARIBE+ initiative, brought together regional and international stakeholders to advance traceability systems across the Caribbean.

The workshop aimed to support the development of a joint regional roadmap to strengthen seafood traceability systems, improve regulatory alignment, and enhance sustainable trade within the region.

CAHFSA’s Contribution: Advancing Traceability in the Agro-Food Sector

As part of the programme, CAHFSA delivered a presentation on “Traceability in the Caribbean Agro-Food Sector,” highlighting the current status, key challenges, and opportunities for strengthening traceability systems across CARICOM Member States.

The presentation emphasized the critical role of traceability in:

• Ensuring food safety and rapid response to food safety incidents
• Supporting regulatory compliance with international standards
• Facilitating market access to major export destinations such as the EU and USA
• Enhancing transparency and consumer confidence

Traceability systems, particularly the “one step forward, one step backward” approach, were highlighted as essential tools for identifying the origin and movement of food products across the supply chain.

Key Challenges Identified

The CAHFSA Food Safety Specialist outlined several challenges affecting traceability implementation in the Caribbean, including:

• Limited digitalization of traceability systems
• Gaps in data management and record-keeping
• Capacity constraints among food business operators
• Need for stronger coordination between competent authorities

Looking Ahead

The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to collaborate on practical solutions, including the development of regional roadmaps and strategies to scale up traceability systems.

Through its participation, CAHFSA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Member States in strengthening food safety systems, aligning with international standards, and enhancing the competitiveness of Caribbean agri-food products.