Legal and Administrative Requirements and Quality Guidelines for Agricultural and Food Exports to More Developed CARICOM Countries

A Manual for CARICOM Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

This manual on Legal and Administrative Arrangements and Quality Guidelines for Exporting Agricultural and Food Products to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) More Developed Countries (MDCs) is published by the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF). It is one in a series of three manuals which forms part of the regional strategy to stimulate growth and improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the CARICOM Less Developed Countries (LDCs) of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The other manuals are on Mobilizing Financial and Technical Assistance by Small Enterprises from Non-traditional Development Partners and Maintaining Agile Businesses: Identifying and Using Opportunities for Success. These manuals are intended for owners and operators of small and medium-sized business as well as other persons involved in the opera on of such enterprises in the OECS countries.

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are defined for these publications as follows:

  • Micro Enterprise: Enterprise owner-managed, with less than five employees and less than US$25,000 invested in equipment.
  • Small Enterprise: Enterprise with less than 25 employees, less than US$50,000 invested in equipment, less than 4,000 square feet of manufacturing space, or less than US$25,000 in annual sales.
  • Medium-sized Enterprise: Enterprise with 25–50 employees, with US$50,000- US$200,000 invested in equipment, 4,000–5,000 square feet of manufacturing space or US$25,000–US$250,000 in annual sales.

The objective of this CDF project is for SMEs to be profitable businesses, creating employment and contributing to development in the respective countries. This manual offers information on Legal and Administrative Requirements as well as Quality Guidelines for Exporting Agricultural and Food Products and is therefore a resource for strengthening the capacity of small businesses to enhance their strategic approach and operational performance. It is anticipated that the information provided will assist key decision makers in SMEs to identify and overcome challenges in gaining market access and increasing exports to the MDCs in CARICOM.