Preparing agro-processors for export in Guyana

Clients: USAID, Farmer to Farmer, Partners of the Americas, The Guyanese Department of Agriculture, and Guyanese Agroprocessors/Small Businesses

​The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) leads the U.S. Government's international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises and progress beyond assistance. 

Farmer to Farmer supports farmers and agribusiness professionals in developing countries to improve their livelihoods and food security. The Guyana Farmer-to-Farmer program, in partnership with Partners of The Americas, connects American technical specialists with ag-development projects across the country. CKREUZ Consulting was the first marketing specialist and business consultant to work with agro-processors and agricultural entrepreneurs in the Farmer to Farmer program, and we look forward to continuing our work for the inspiring people of Guyana!​

Project Background and Scope​

Due to Exxon’s discovery of its oil reserves in 2015, Guyana has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world; according to the World Bank, The GDP growth rate of Guyana in 2021 alone was 20%. As the GDP has rapidly increased, so has the need for working professionals to staff the growing economy; This shift from an agriculture-based economy to a professional services-based economy has reduced the time available for working individuals to prepare fresh meals at home. However, there is no reason both Guyanese locals and international workers alike shouldn’t have access to fresh, locally-prepared, ready-to-eat meals to keep them satiated and nourished to meet the demands of their busy working schedules.  

Agro-processing- the method by which fresh food is transformed into preserved, shelf-stable products- is a scalable and effective solution that provides a path for farmers and local laborers to participate in, and see the fruits of, the growing economic opportunities in Guyana. Agro-processing allows farmers to actively participate in both the budding domestic and international markets through export agreements, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Unlike the “top-down” economic model that oil and gas follow (large contracts paid to multinational conglomerates, large contractors, and governments), agro-processing creates a “bottom-up” model wherein revenue is generated for and by the people. Investing in agro-processing creates sustainable employment and professional opportunities for Guyanese citizens to have reliable access to capital to spend in both the domestic and international markets, the wealth gap is able to be controlled, and poverty due to rapidly rising cost-of-living and inflation is kept at a minimum.​

Our Support​

CKREUZ worked to support agro-processing teams in Guyana with business consulting services covering​

• business plan development and coaching

• breakeven financial analysis

• Pro-forma financial planning and recording architecture

• US-based public and private grant audit

• North American trade certifications and regulations as they pertain to the import of both meat and veg-based agricultural products, and

• Marketing strategy to influence public opinion on ready-to-eat foods in Guyana​

Moving Forward​

Upon closing out this project, agroprocessors in Guyana receiving assistance from Farmer-to-Farmer have access to a detailed, scalable framework that prepares them for successful business both domestically and abroad. CKREUZ looks forward to continuing support to the economic development of Guyana through culturally sensitive marketing workshops, export training sessions, and management consulting projects.