St Kitts and Nevis 2026 Budget: Live updates, key allocations & sector priorities

St Kitts and Nevis Live Budget 2026: Farmers expects to harvest over 1M pounds of products in 2025

PM Drew outlined the growth that has been recorded in crop production by noting that the agriculture sector could be as bigger as cruise industry in St Kitts and Nevis during the budget address of fiscal year 2026.

He outlined the crop production which is as follows:

Rose Yield: 54%

Watermelon production: 193%

Cucumber: 142%

Cantaloupe: 216%

Through national agriculture programme, the Ministry of Agriculture recorded sub planting of 60 thousand banana. In addition to that, 15,000 coconut trees were planted. He outlined that the farmers are expected to harvest over 1 million pounds of products in 2025 and the country is diversifying its agriculture sector with avocados, specialised pepper varieties for export.

SKN Mixed Nature Coping Project

PM Drew further shed light on the new programme named SKN Mixed Nature Coping Project which is 100 acres including hot peppers for export and also other products. The main aim is to meet the demand of the market and enhance the farmers.

It's a joint effort that we want between farmers and the government to meet the demand of the market. This nature farm can create 500 jobs as they 30 workers per acres which is 300 workers for every 100 acres which is a significant number.

Talking about the livestock programme, PM Drew outlined that they process 40 pigs and over 32,000 pounds of beef. The government has taken steps to improve poultry hatch rates from 55% to 80%.

St Kitts and Nevis Live Budget Address: Investment made in agriculture sector enhance food security, says PM Drew

PM Terrance Drew laid down the investment made in the agriculture sector and noted that several training workshops have been hosted to promote local produce. The agro-processing unit has been renovated and equipped with calibrated machinery, advancing all zero waste mission.

He further outlined that over 20 greenhouses are being constructed in St Kitts and Nevis, out of which 6 are already completed and awaiting the roofing with work progressing steadily on the remainder.

Facilities are made to target youth and women farmers. In addition to that, 15 new cold storage containers have significantly expanded their capacity to preserve perishable produce.

Chicken Breeders Farm has been established in St Kitts and Nevis and the farm has hatched 200 chicks, cutting the reliance on imports and strengthening national food security. PM Drew called these investments as practical, productive, and a purposeful real investment that creates jobs, boost supply chains and put food on family tables.

St Kitts and Nevis Budget Live: GAE workers receive gratuity and pension

In a budget address of 2026, Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew outlined that the GAE workers in St Kitts and Nevis received gratuity and pension at the same time. It was denied, but we have provided them with their rights.

He further talked about the investments made in different sectors including the technology, communication and infrastructure.

St Kitts and Nevis Budget Live: "We have more arrivals than pre-covid era even before the ending of December, "says PM Drew

PM Dr Terrance Drew announced that St Kitts and Nevis has surpassed the pre-covid arrivals and recorded great tourism season even before the ending of December 2025.

December is our peak, our best month and we are expecting to surpass those figures by thousands. This is real recovery as the first half recorded a growth of 13.8% in the tourist arrivals and reached 75,700 arrivals.

The country has surpassed pre-COVID levels which is a positive things and it should be highlighted properly, as per PM Drew. He said that this season will be the highest in the tourist arrivals in history of the country.

PM Drew outlined that the increase in airlift sector and other steps have positioned St Kitts and Nevis as a favourable destination of tourism. Due to this, the retail sector and the importing of the goods and services has also seen the growth.

St Kitts and Nevis Budget Live 2025: Economy expected to achieve growth of 2% over the medium term

PM Drew outlined that St Kitts and Nevis is expected to achieve the growth of 2% in the economy the despite the setback of 1% over the medium term. He said that the estimated growth is due to the contributions made by the key sectors including:

Manufacturing: 2.9%

Hotels and Restaurants: 2.6%

Construction: 2.5%

Wholesale and Retail: 2.3%

Financial Services: 1.6%

Additionally, moderate progress in transportation, communication and real estate and business activities have also been recorded and will continue to grow.

Budget Address 2025 Live: Unemployment rate records below 5% in St Kitts and Nevis

According to PM Terrance Drew, the unemployment rate of St Kitts and Nevis recorded below 5% which was outlined in the latest estimates. He said that the labour market is recovering as IMF also projected that the country would record 4% growth and this figures are progressing.

St Kitts and Nevis Budget Address Live: Geothermal is moving steadily, says PM Drew

Talking about energy, PM Dr Terrance Drew outlined that they got the contractor for the construction of the geothermal power plant in Nevis. He said that this is significant aspect of the sustainable island state agenda, making St Kitts and Nevis a diversified economy.

He also talked about the food security and the dependence on the local produce, further shedding light on the renewable initiatives and the installation of the solar power plant. PM Drew added that they are working to enhance sustainable agenda, aiming to invest in people and progress.

St Kitts and Nevis Budget Live: ASPIRE Programme needs to be celebrated, says PM Drew

Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew lauded the "ASPIRE Programme" and said that it should be celebrated out and loud. The government has successfully approved thousands of applications through which students have bank accounts, aiming to support and empower the younger generation of the country.

ASPIRE Programme's financial aspect has been launched in six schools as the curriculum has been put together.

We will go across the primary and secondary school in both the islands to enhance the education sector.

St Kitts and Nevis Budget Updates: Federation records largest drop in homicide across hemisphere

During the budget address, PM Dr Drew lauded the strategic plans for the safety and security as the country recorded largest drop in homicide cases across the hemisphere. He said that the government has taken steps and people have engaged with them to deal with the crime as it was taken as a great threat to the public health.

PM Drew said that whole society has been involved to deal with the crime as people act with compassion and dedication. St Kitts and Nevis recorded lowest crime rate in over two decades and the people have seen the real impact of the safer communities.

"People have slept peacefully at their homes and it has taken into roots with a collaboration of people to create St Kitts and Nevis into a peaceful and secure destination," said the prime minister.

St Kitts and Nevis Live Budget Update: PM Terrance Drew presents Appropriation Bill in parliament

In a budget address for fiscal year 2026, Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew presented appropriation bill in the national assembly in St Kitts and Nevis. The bill has passed in the parliament and become an act on December 16, 2025.

PM Drew talked about the challenges faced by his government when St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party when they came into the office. He said that his government has worked towards making the most resilient and sustainable economy of the country by taking tough decisions.

Talking about the CBI, he said that the government has taken bold and risky steps to establish the strong CBI industry. He said that the steps were taken to enhance the industry and make it a strong programme ever.

Further, he moved to the commissioning of new fleet of ambulances in St Kitts and Nevis in recent times. He said that the main aim is to enhance healthcare sector and improve the healthcare deliveries for the citizens of the country. Three are commissioned at JNF Hospital, one at Nevis Charles Hospital and one at other hospital in the country.