GMC packaging facility looking to expand market reach

The Guyana Marketing Corporation’s (GMC) packaging facility is looking to secure more regional and international markets to assist farmers and exporters.

Manager, Ms. Celestine Butters, on Monday told DPI The Netherlands is one such market. 

“We have already sent the samples off, and we are waiting for a reply from the importer; that means that once we get a positive reply, we will be entering The Netherlands market,” Ms. Butters said.

She highlighted that the facility has been working amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Throughout it all, we have been exporting to Barbados, Antigua, the US. We have even sourced new market in Antigua as well as in Guadeloupe,” she said. 

It was noted that the packaging facility has made many improvements to its services and has grown over the years.

“We started with wooden tables with plain sheets on them. We started with a generator that we rented, and now we have stainless steel tables. We have so many things in place now to assist the exporters, so we have really grown, and our exports have gone up.”

Ms. Butters said farmers and exporters who wish to access their services must follow all the necessary COVID-19 guidelines; wearing masks and washing or sanitising their hands.

She added that exporters who want to make shipments have to bring their workers based on the size of the containers. They must have a food handlers’ certificate, police clearance and follow the necessary COVID-19 measures. 

The GMA operates two facilities; the Parika Agro-Packaging Facility at East Bank Essequibo, which has been in operation for 12 years and the Central Packaging Facility at the National Exhibition Complex in Sophia, which was established in October 2000.

The packaging facility processes fresh fruits and vegetables. It offers cold storage, refrigerated trucking service and assists exporters to source produce.