FAO gets the ball rolling on GAPS certification for soursop in Grenada

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), working together with Grenada’s Ministry of Agriculture & Lands, Forestry, Marine Resources, and Cooperatives, has completed an assessment focused on the country’s ability to introduce a sustainable Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) certification system, specifically for its popular soursop industry.

From June 15 to June 18, 2025, as reported by the fAO via statement, teams visited farms and facilities across several districts on the island, including St. George’s, St. Patrick’s, St. Mark’s, St. Andrews’s, and St. David’s. They talked with farmers, exporters, and officials to understand what is needed to meet international standards.

The assessment found that Grenada has strong potential to expand into global markets by adopting better farming practices and obtaining third-party certifications like GLOBALG.A.P.

This certification can improve food safety, promote sustainable farming, and enhance the entire supply chain, explained the FAO. As a result, consumer trust in Grenadian soursop will increase, and the country could gain better access to markets in the United States, Europe, and beyond.

The report highlights that farmers are eager to adopt GAPs, but they require support in several areas. These include soil testing, pest control, grafting techniques, and labor-intensive activities like hand pollination. Additionally, improvements in infrastructure, such as upgrading packing houses and enhancing pest monitoring systems, are necessary to meet export standards. Overall, better coordination among farmers, exporters, and authorities is important to aligning local practices with international standards and securing higher-value markets.

Mr. Ricardo Pineda, a FAO specialist leading the assessment, commented, “Grenada’s soursop industry is uniquely positioned to grow, but it needs a coordinated push to implement practical GAPs and certification standards. Farmers, exporters, and government authorities alike have shown readiness to build a culture of quality that will secure higher-value markets and better livelihoods.”

The assessment recommends starting a pilot project for GAPs certification later this year. This pilot will focus on certifying at least two packing facilities and ten farmers under the GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance standard, which promotes safe and responsible farming practices worldwide.

Over the next six months, the project will include training sessions, upgrades to equipment and technology, documentation of farming records, and technical support.  According to FAO, these efforts aim to help small-scale farmers meet the necessary standards for certification.

Mr. Melvin Medina, FAO’s officer responsible for production and protection in the region, added, “Through this project, we aim to strengthen local capacity to adopt, maintain, and expand GAPs certification in partnership with farmers and exporters. This will add value to key export crops like soursop.”

In the coming weeks, stakeholders will review the detailed action plan and budget to ensure Grenada’s soursop producers are prepared to achieve certification and explore new export opportunities.

This initiative is part of a broader project called “Enhancing Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Capacity and Market Access for Grenadian Soursop Exports.”

“We recognize the critical role GAPs certification plays in ensuring food safety and boosting our competitiveness, Mr. Thaddeus Peters, Acting Chief Agricultural Officer remarked.

He emphasized the Ministry’s support, adding, “We are committed to working with all stakeholders to make Grenada’s soursop a model for quality and sustainability.”