Guyanese businesses seek major markets at Agro Fest

Local Guyanese businesses attending this year’s Agro Fest in Barbados are aiming to secure major markets for their products as part of their expansion efforts.

The event, hosted in Bridgetown from 21 to 23 February, aligns with President Dr Irfaan Ali’s Vision 2030 plan, which seeks to position Guyana as a key player in reducing CARICOM’s food import bill and expanding market access for local businesses.

Among the exhibitors at this year’s event is Fresh Packagers, a business based in Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The company, which has been operating for over 16 years, manufactures a variety of local spices, including geerah, masala, black pepper, Chinese spices, ginger powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, curry powder, and chia seeds. Additionally, it produces porridge products such as plantain flour, barley flour, and sago, as well as other items, including split peas powder, achar, hot sauce, and sugar cake.

Owner Sursattie Paul said this is her second year participating in the event.

“Last year was good, I did well, and that is why I came back. It’s a great initiative from GO-Invest,” Paul told Ignite News.

She added that she hopes to secure a new market this year.

“This year, I’m hoping that we will be able to go around, introduce our products, and explore new opportunities… We are hoping to get there this time,” she said, noting that the company already has someone to showcase its products.

Paul said her business has received support from both Guyanese in Barbados and Barbadians attending the event.

“Especially the tamarind ball—it’s like everybody is coming to look for the tamarind ball. That is almost finished,” she said proudly.

She expressed gratitude to GO-Invest for the opportunity to expand and improve the company’s products.

“We are hoping to improve, we are hoping to do better, we are hoping to gain a market,” she added.

Meanwhile, Princess Cosbert, owner of Essence of Herbs, a local manufacturer of natural herbal products, including herbal tea drops, told this publication that she has been attending the event for the past four years.

“It’s a good initiative, but this year it’s very slow… The very first year was the best,” she noted.

Cosbert hopes to secure a larger market this year, particularly in the hotel industry.

“I know the country is a tourist destination, and so I wanted to get the tea drops into that market. I believe that hotels would be the ideal place… If I can get into the hotels, my trip would be successful,” she said, adding that she hopes sales will increase towards the end of the expo.

Also attending this year’s event is Basdeo’s Dynasty, a manufacturer of locally packaged products, including pepper sauce and plantain flour.

Sole proprietor Rahdika Basdeo said the feedback has been positive so far.

This is the company’s third year at the event, and Basdeo hopes to secure a distributor this year.

She added that the company has already received interest from two distributors.

“We have customers who purchased from us last year and have returned this year. It’s pretty great, and hopefully, I secure a distributor this year,” she said.

Basdeo also expressed gratitude to GO-Invest and the Guyana Marketing Corporation for their support.

Products of Essence of Herbs

The Fresh Packagers booth at the expo