Govt advances swine complex, sausage factory on EBD

In a move to boost domestic pork production, reduce import dependence and expand into value-added meat processing, the Government is advancing the construction of a modern swine production and a sausage plant at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara (EBD). During a recent poultry-industry symposium, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced that the Government is prepared to co-invest in a sausage plant, a chicken-nugget facility and other processing plants designed to meet both local and regional demand. “In the forward planning, I am now proposing that we have some co-investment in a sausage plant … a chicken-nugget facility…to meet local and regional demand,” he said. Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha confirmed that the Garden of Eden complex will include a second facility dedicated specifically to swine production and processing, including sausage manufacturing, thereby signalling a major step in Guyana’s ambition to produce export-ready pork and processed meats. Currently, Guyana imports a large portion of its pork and pork-products. According to the Agriculture Ministry, the swine industry was operating at roughly 10 per cent of its potential and about two-thirds of ham, bacon and sausage needs were met by imports. By building a full-service facility (from breeding and slaughtering to processing sausages and other value-added meats) the country is targeting several key benefits which are likely to include an increase in domestic pork production thus improving food security and reducing foreign-exchange leakage. Additionally, the creation of jobs and investment opportunities in livestock farming, processing, logistics and export services. This would enable Guyana to move from raw pig production into higher-value processed meats, which command better margins and export potential. This would eventually position Guyana as a regional meat-processing hub within CARICOM, aligning with the Government’s aim of becoming the Caribbean’s food-production capital.

The modular pig-slaughtering and processing facility at Garden of Eden initially had an estimated Government investment of $29 million to establish the infrastructure.
According to Mustapha, preliminary works, which include roads, site-preparation, fencing, access have reportedly been completed.
The processing plant will include the capacity for sausage-manufacturing and potentially chicken-nuggets and other processed meats, under a public-private collaboration. Government is emphasising traceability, certification and export-readiness as part of the design of the facility. The initiative is part of a broader push by the Government to reduce the Caribbean region’s food import bill, develop domestic agro-processing and create export-oriented value chains. President Ali emphasised livestock; including beef, pork and poultry alongside feed-crops like corn and soya beans as priority commodities. Guyana is aiming to diversify its agriculture sector beyond traditional rice and sugar, to capture higher-value markets both locally and regionally.