Final preparations underway for PiAngo Fest 2025

The countdown to PiAngo Fest 2025 is ongoing and according to top agriculture officials, the public can expect another year of exciting and innovative products.

Formerly known as Mango Fest, the event was rebranded in 2019 to “Piango Fest” to reflect the dual focus on mangoes and pineapples, especially the Antigua’s iconic Black Pineapple.

This year’s festival is set for August 17 at Cades Bay Agricultural Station.

“In this particular event, we’re basically going to be hosting an agro-processing competition where it’s a platform where our agro-processes can bring any products that they wish, and basically, we will highlight them in terms of, look, this is how you’re supposed to have it market-ready. And so, over the years, what we have been doing is critiquing our agro-processers trying to improve their products so they can get it on the market, and also to bring more awareness of this is a business venture where persons in Antigua and Barbuda can get into,” Craig Thomas IICCA National Specialist in Antigua and Barbuda explained.

Through events, like these, Thomas is convinced the GDP contribution for the agriculture sector can be improved significantly.

“As you know, right now the GDP for agriculture is about two percent, right, and we need to get it up there. So, with events like these, and with support from institutions like IICA, the FAO, the CADI, it will allow us to basically contribute more to these events that will help all farmers to grow. Because not only for agriculture, farmers also who are mango producers, farmers who are pineapple producers, will have the opportunity to come to this event and market their product,” Thomas added.

Last year around 60 vendors participated in PiAngo Fest and this year is expected to be no different.

Several judging competitions will be returning, and a few additions are on the cards.

The eight categories include wine, honey, hot sauce, confectionary, sauces and jams.

The staple mango eating competition will be taking place as well.

This year patrons will also get to have an eye first-hand experience of the progress of the Black Pineapple rehabilitation project.

Admission is free.

The event begins at 8 am and will conclude at 8pm.