According to a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA), businessman Roberino Faro and Logistics Officer Larry Phillips of the company, Fruits & Veggie in a Box, held discussions with the Agriculture Minister and the company has indicated its intention of setting up operations at Parika on the East Bank Essequibo where consumer-ready boxes will be packed for export to Aruba.
According to the release, the products will be delivered immediately to consumers upon arrival in the Dutch-speaking Caribbean nation. Initially, the company intends to obtain a wide range of fruits including banana, watermelon, orange, tangerine, mango and avocado, among others. The sourcing of vegetables from Guyana is also on the cards.
The release stated that the concept behind Fruits & Veggie in a Box is to remove the various “hands” that products have to “pass” through before they reach the consumer. The products would be more affordable to consumers.
The release stated that Faro has indicated to Persaud that he is impressed with Guyana’s products, and according to the release Faro said, “Guyana’s agriculture export potential is like an untapped gold mine”. He said once the project gets going, there are plans to expand to dry goods, fish and meat.
According to GINA, Persaud said that the heightened interest in agriculture products indicates wider regional recognition of Guyana’s agriculture growth and will add support to the agriculture diversification drive. If the project materializes early, it will assist farmers whose production has been expanding and who have been seeking additional markets.
The New Guyana Marketing Corporation provided logistical support to the Arubans, taking them to various farming communities to meet farmers and other business persons and according to the release, this is part of a continuous effort to access additional market opportunities for farmers and exporters.
