Central Packaging Facility
National Exhibition Centre, Sophia, Georgetown, Guyana

The Central Packaging Facility (CPF) is a specialised service located at the National Exhibition Complex, Sophia, Georgetown.

The CPF facilitates exporters by offering standardized cleaning and packaging of fresh agricultural produce for export on a daily basis.

It is the only approved facility for processing of fresh fruits and vegetables for export to Barbados and Antigua.

Related Form: Request For Use of the Central Packaging Facility ( 31 KB).

The CPF was commissioned in October 2000. Processing of fresh fruits and vegetables for export commenced in Feb 2001 when 10 tonnes were processed for the Barbados market. Over the years exports have increased and exports via the CPF now average 80 tonnes per month.

The Processing Operation

• Produce is weighed or counted on arrival.

• A nominal VAT inclusive cleansing fee of $5800.00 per shipment is charged. For refrigerated 20 foot container shipments an additional fee of $6,500 per day is charged for electricity. For 40 foot containers $8000.00 per day is charged for electricity.

  Produce is cleaned. Stains and debris are removed with a cloth or brush in soap or chlorine solution. If necessary, the produce is then dipped in a fungicide (benlate) to prevent post harvest fungal diseases.
• Produce is left to dry prior to grading and inspection. Grading involves selecting produce of uniform size, color, firmness and texture
• Produce is packed and labeled. Produce is packed in either boxes or ventilated bags. Label for boxes should have exporter and importer names and addresses and the importer number. The registration code should be prominently displayed on each package.
• Each package is weighed after which it is stamped and signed by a Plant Health Officer from the Plant Quarantine Department.
• The exporter prepares a Packing List. The Packing List should have the commodity name, package number, weight, type and size of package.
• The packages are sent to the port of export.