WILLEMSTAD – Food security has emerged as a key priority in the European Union’s revised policy for Overseas Countries and Territories, but Dutch lawmakers are questioning how this objective will translate into practical benefits for Curaçao’s local economy.
In parliamentary discussions on the LGO framework, attention was drawn to the inclusion of food security as a central investment theme. Members of Parliament stressed that for islands like Curaçao, this should mean more than policy statements and feasibility studies.
Lawmakers called for clarity on how EU funds would be used to strengthen local agricultural and fisheries sectors, reduce dependence on imports, and improve resilience against global supply shocks. Curaçao’s heavy reliance on imported food leaves the island vulnerable to price volatility and logistical disruptions — a risk that has become increasingly visible in recent years.
Parliamentarians also emphasized the importance of practical support, such as access to expertise, training, and technology, rather than complex funding schemes that smaller administrations struggle to access. Some suggested that Dutch agricultural knowledge and experience could play a supporting role in helping Caribbean territories build sustainable local production.
At the same time, concerns were raised that without targeted assistance, Curaçao may struggle to compete for EU food-security funding against larger overseas territories with more developed agricultural sectors and stronger administrative capacity.
For Curaçao, the challenge will be ensuring that EU food-security ambitions translate into tangible improvements on the ground — supporting farmers, fishermen, and small producers, rather than remaining largely confined to policy frameworks and regional strategies.
