‘Helen’s best’: Lucian trade mission brings island’s finest here

Saint Lucian exporters have brought a taste of their island’s finest to Barbados, showcasing a diverse range of products at a high-profile exhibition designed to strengthen bilateral trade ties and open new market opportunities.

Organised by Export Saint Lucia, the Saint Lucian Product Exhibition, held on Wednesday at Bagnalls Gallery, Pelican Centre, was part of a three-day trade mission aimed at strengthening bilateral trade with Barbados.

The showcase brought together several manufacturers and exporters presenting high-quality goods ranging from coffee and cocoa to skincare, rum, and tissue products, made in the Helen of the West.

One of the highlights came from Noble Tree Coffee and Cocoa Saint Lucia, whose owners, Candy Philpott-Malpass and husband Keith Malpass, shared the company’s mission to revive the island’s historic coffee industry — once home to over a million trees. By partnering with farmers, building new markets, and developing chocolate and coffee bars, the company has grown harvests from just 250 kilograms in 2017 to six tonnes in 2024.

Tolyn Manufacturers Ltd., a long-standing, family-run tissue manufacturer founded in 1982, also displayed its range of soft bathroom tissue, kitchen towels, facial tissues, and commercial paper products, with hopes of entering the Barbadian market.

Other exhibitors included Saint Lucia Distillers, Cacoa Sainte Lucie, Natmed Ltd., and Auera — representing the island’s growing sectors of rum, natural skincare, cocoa, and wellness.

CEO of Export Saint Lucia, Sunita Daniel, said the expo was designed to give Barbadian distributors direct access to Saint Lucia’s expanding product lines.

She said: “It’s really a broad range of products that meet international standards, and so far the reception has been very good to the products.”

Barbados remains one of Saint Lucia’s strongest trade partners and highlighted Barbadian consumer openness to Saint Lucian brands, she said. Both Export Saint Lucia and Export Barbados are exploring deeper cooperation to enhance regional trade opportunities, Daniel added.

The trade mission continues until Friday, featuring business engagements aimed at increasing exports to Barbados.

(LE)