WILLEMSTAD – Sint Maarten is almost entirely dependent on imported food and faces the most vulnerable food supply position among the six Caribbean islands of the Kingdom, according to a new study on local food production and food security.
The report, commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, found that Sint Maarten imports 99.28 percent of its food, leaving the island with a self-sufficiency rate of just 0.72 percent.
Researchers cited several reasons for the island's extreme dependence on imported food, including limited available land, a strong economic focus on tourism, and heavy reliance on international shipping routes for supplies.
The study also examined the food production capacity of Saba and St. Eustatius and found significant differences between the two islands.
St. Eustatius recorded the highest self-sufficiency rate of all six islands at 13.88 percent, while Saba's rate was only 4.62 percent.
According to the researchers, land availability plays a decisive role. St. Eustatius has relatively more space suitable for agriculture and livestock farming, allowing for greater local food production. Saba, by contrast, faces challenges due to its mountainous terrain and limited infrastructure, making large-scale agricultural development difficult.
The report also highlighted differences in food supply chain vulnerability.
While Curaçao benefits from a larger supermarket network and multiple import channels, Saba and St. Eustatius depend heavily on supplies arriving through Sint Maarten. Any disruption affecting transportation links to Sint Maarten could therefore have an immediate impact on food availability on both islands.
The findings have renewed attention on food security across the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, particularly as recent global events have demonstrated how quickly international supply chains can be disrupted by geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, or economic shocks.
Researchers conclude that strengthening local food production where possible could improve resilience and reduce the risks associated with heavy reliance on imported food. For the smaller islands, however, geographical and environmental constraints mean that achieving significant self-sufficiency remains a major challenge.