In its Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034 report, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) highlighted that global demand for meat, dairy, and fish will increase over the next decade. By 2034, the report projects a six percent increase in global per capita consumption of animal source foods.
IWithin this context, the poultry industry stands out as the fastest-growing livestock sector, with poultry meat remaining the most widely consumed animal protein globally.
For the Caribbean, this underscores the critical role of poultry production in supporting food security, affordability, and regional agricultural resilience.
To ensure that both students and the regional industry remain aligned with global advancements, Dr Shayne Ramsubeik, Lecturer in Avian and Poultry Medicine at UWI St Augustine’s School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), continues to use international platforms such as the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE).
Held annually in Atlanta, USA, IPPE is the largest event of its kind, bringing together global leaders across the poultry, feed, and meat sectors.
“The poultry industry is evolving rapidly, and if we want to keep the Caribbean industry sustainable and resilient, we must stay connected to these global developments,” said Dr Ramsubeik.
The 2026 Expo (January 27–29) was all about innovation.
“What stood out at IPPE,” Dr Ramsubeik recalled, “was the scale of innovation from automation and AI to improvements in housing and nutrition, all aimed at making production more efficient and sustainable.” Importantly, he emphasised the role of local adaptation, stating, “Our role at UWI is to take these technologies and evaluate them in our environment. What works in North America may need adjustment for Caribbean conditions, and that is where applied research becomes critical.”
He added, “These opportunities are also about our students. Exposure to platforms like IPPE helps them understand where the industry is going, and prepares them to contribute meaningfully to the future of poultry production in the region.”
Year 5 student Fariah Karim and Year 4 student Sachia Reid-Thomas, who also participated in the Latin America Poultry Summit and the International Poultry Scientific Forum, attended alongside Dr Ramsubeik.
Reid-Thomas said that attending the expo was an opportunity to expand her knowledge on the poultry industry and delve deeper into the production process. Speaking on her homeland, Reid-Thomas said there is a growing demand for poultry in Barbados. “I believe Barbados and other Caribbean countries can benefit heavily from the modern infrastructures on display at the expo, as well as the research into different aspects of nutrition and the many different ways that you can reduce costs while still improving quality in your meat and egg production,” she said.
Karim enjoyed seeing all the new technology as well as the different perspectives of people from different countries who worked in poultry science and animal production. Her main takeaways were best practices to maintain poultry health, disease prevention, animal welfare, nutrition, and emerging technologies. “The Caribbean can use many of the ideas that were presented at the expo,” she said. “There is information and research that can be used to increase production and strengthen food security as well as have better biosecurity and management practices so that we could improve on our growing poultry production in the country.”
All three were able to attend the expo thanks to an MOU between the Caribbean Poultry Association (the representative body of the regional poultry industry and feed manufacturers) and the SVM that was signed in December 2024.
As a result of the MOU, sponsorship and funding to attend the 2026 expo were provided by the US Poultry and Egg Association via the Latin America Poultry Association and Caribbean Poultry Association.
Beyond attendance at the IPPE, the MOU delivers tangible outputs for the region. This includes the development of practical, farmer-focused resources targeting small and medium-scale poultry producers across the Caribbean. In 2025, the SVM produced a booklet on heat stress management—addressing one of the most significant challenges facing poultry farmers in tropical environments.
A second booklet titled Safe and Sound: A Biosecurity Guide for Small Poultry Flocks in the Caribbean was launched during a regional webinar in early 2026, which attracted approximately 300 farmers. The webinar also featured contributions from regional and international experts, including the Latin American Poultry Association, as well as Trinidad and Tobago’s Chief Veterinary Officers.
Dr Ramsubeik said that these collaborations will continue to support the SVM’s mission of advancing animal health, strengthening regional capacity, and promoting The UWI’s One Health approach.
