Rooster Coconut Water hits market –demand from consumers climbs over 100 per cent in mere weeks
Coconuts being cut and the water being loaded into aluminium cans
Coconuts being cut and the water being loaded into aluminium cans

THE first coconut factory erected on the Essequibo Coast has begun operating, and has started to export products to the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.This factory, located at Land of Plenty, is the property of Roopan Ramotar, who told the Guyana Chronicle that he is full of hope that his business would emerge as a local industry leader.

Rooster Fresh Pomeroon Coconut Water, fresh from the factory
Rooster Fresh Pomeroon Coconut Water, fresh from the factory

“With just over a month in operation, we have already secured a market in Trinidad and Tobago, which I supply with 12,500 litres of coconut water every month. Right now, we are doing 20,000 litres per month, (but) the factory has the capacity to produce some $30,000 litres,” a happy Ramotar said.

And he has good reasons to be happy.
Initially, the factory was supplying between 12 and 24 bottles of the health beverage to supermarkets and shops on the Essequibo Coast; but mere weeks into operation, demand for the beverage has climbed handsomely.
Supermarkets and shops are now requesting between two and four cases (24 bottles per case) of Rooster Fresh Pomeroon Coconut Water, which comes in two-litre and 500ml bottles. The two-litre bottle of the refreshing beverage is retailed at $1000 per bottle, while the 500ml bottle retails at $300 per bottle.

Because of the demand, Ramotar said, he is looking at producing a smaller bottle to reach out to consumers at all ends of the scale and to compete more directly with established beverage producers and distributors here.

Roopan Ramotar
Roopan Ramotar

According to feedback, the Rooster Fresh Pomeroon Coconut Water is in quality and taste superior to its competition on the Essequibo Coast.
Practically all of the 6,500 litres produced for local consumption is sold on the Essequibo Coast, with the majority being sold in the township of Anna Regina.

As the name suggests, the coconut is harvested in the Pomeroon. From there it is transported to Land of Plenty, where it is processed. The processing begins with the nuts being washed and dried, before being taken into a separate room where they are cut and the water loaded into aluminium cans.
The cans are then transported into another room, where they are loaded into a large, cool aluminium filler; and from there, the water is poured into two-litre and 500ml bottles, which are then taken for storage in 12-foot storage containers.

Roopan Ramotar’s coconut factor at Land of Plenty, Essequibo Coast
Roopan Ramotar’s coconut factor at Land of Plenty, Essequibo Coast

The process is simple, but because of the sheer volume of coconuts, the operation is manned by 15 staffers who each have clear lines of duty. At Ramotar’s coconut farm in the Pomeroon, where 200 acres of coconut are harvested and 300 acres are under cultivation, another 15 persons are employed. The factory has also created indirect employment for the boat operators and truck drivers who transport the commodity from the farm to the factory.

Ramotar, who is highly encouraged by the response from consumers, told this publication that he is in the process of setting up a distribution outlet in Georgetown. Georgetowners will soon have a taste of fresh Pomeroon coconut water which has no additives. When the Georgetown facility comes on stream, he would be ramping up production at the factory to meet the new demand.

But he also has an eye out for foreign markets, since his intention is to grow the business into an industry leader. Currently, the factory is producing only coconut water, but in the near future, Ramotar intends to also produce coconut milk and virgin coconut oil, among other products.

“Right now we are taking things one step at a time,” Ramotar said, as he urged the Government to pay more attention to the manufacturing sector.
According to him, the cost to manufacture is very high, and thus it is a challenge for local producers to compete with those from sister Caricom nations.

And on this note, he added that because of free trade, those countries benefit more from Guyana than Guyana benefits from them. He suggested that Government can correct this anomaly by offering local manufacturers VAT exception on their products, or by reducing the rate they pay in VAT.

 

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