Agriculture in Curaçao: from an underestimated sector to a strategic choice

Agriculture in Curaçao: from an underestimated sector to a strategic choice

28 April 2026

The recent World Bank report shows how vulnerable Curaçao is due to its heavy reliance on food imports. Price fluctuations, logistical disruptions, and external shocks quickly ripple through society (World Bank, 2023). At the same time, agriculture today remains marginal, contributing around 0.3% to GDP. The quick conclusion is often that agriculture has no serious economic future. That is too simplistic.

The debate should not be about becoming self-sufficient, but about targeted scaling. Moving from roughly 10% local production to 20%, and growing toward 1% of GDP, is not a systemic overhaul but a logical and achievable next step. In a small economy, even modest shifts can have noticeable effects on prices, availability, and resilience.

Moreover, technology is changing the playing field. Vertical farming, hydroponics, and water recycling reduce the absolute nature of constraints such as land scarcity and water shortages, making them more a matter of investment, organization, and expertise. As a result, agriculture is shifting from a traditional activity to a more capital- and knowledge-intensive niche.

The economic value, therefore, lies not in large-scale production but in a combination of effects: reduced import dependency, fresher and healthier food, supply to the tourism sector, and targeted employment. The World Bank report itself points to opportunities in shorter supply chains and stronger linkages between local producers and hotels and restaurants (World Bank, 2023).

Agriculture will not carry Curaçao’s economy, but it can make the island more resilient and less dependent on external shocks. Perhaps that is the right level of ambition: not thinking big in terms of volume, but thinking smart in terms of impact. Curaçao does not need to feed itself, but it can feed itself better.

Miguel Goede

Sources

World Bank. (2023). Curaçao Food Security Assessment.

Trading Economics. (n.d.). Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) – Curaçao.