Dominican vendors protest over spoiled produce at Antigua port
A dispute has erupted at Antigua’s Deep Water Harbour after Dominican vendors protested what they say is the continued mishandling of their weekly produce shipments.
The traders, who import bananas, avocados, plantains, coconuts and breadfruit every Tuesday, argue that goods are routinely left exposed to the sun and rain during offloading. They claim this has led to spoiled produce, heavy financial losses and growing frustration from supermarkets and hotels that reject damaged stock.
Vendors have for years called on port management to provide tents or some form of shelter to protect shipments, but say promised improvements have never materialised. Some traders report losing significant amounts of bananas and other fruit each week, with damage severe enough to make the goods unsellable.
Port officials, however, insist the main problem lies with the way shipments are packed in Dominica. Boxes designed to carry up to 45 pounds are often filled with nearly double that weight, making them difficult to handle and more likely to split open. According to management, the overpacking issue is unique to Dominican shipments and has contributed significantly to the deterioration of produce.
The port has signalled it will now enforce stricter packing standards, warning that Antigua’s reputation as a supplier of quality goods cannot be compromised by poor handling practices upstream.
