LUKE’S Manufacturing, an agro-processing company located at Charity on the Essequibo Coast, has evolved from humble beginnings to become a prominent producer of cassava-based products.
Owned by Mr John Luke, the company initially produced small batches of cassareep, cassava bread, quinches, and other traditional treats, primarily for friends and family, particularly during the Christmas season. In 2009, Luke registered his business and expanded his product line, now encompassing a range of innovative offerings that celebrate cassava as a staple ingredient.

The company’s new products include Cassava Porridge, Chinese Sauce, Miracle Sauce, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, and its signature Cassava Seasoning. “The sauces, while they contain other ingredients, always include cassava as a constant throughout,” Luke explained, noting the excitement of developing each new cassava-based product. Today, the company also produces wines from berries and beans, green seasonings, hot sauce, achar, plantain porridge, corn starch, farine, and more.
In 2023, Luke’s Manufacturing received certification under the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Made in Guyana (MIG) Certification Mark Programme. The MIG Standards Mark signifies high-quality, authentic Guyanese-made products on both local and international markets. Luke’s

Manufacturing earned the right to use this mark on its Cassava Cassareep, Cassava Porridge, Plantain Porridge, Honey, and Chinese Sauce, all of which have passed GNBS’s rigorous quality checks.
“We are confident in our brand, but certification was key to ensuring our products meet health and safety standards for consumption,” said Luke. To consistently meet demand, Luke’s Manufacturing engages in small-scale farming in the Pomeroon, cultivating cassava, plantains, coffee beans, ginger,

turmeric, and various herbs and spices. “While we grow much of what we need, we also buy from other farmers. However, extreme weather—especially the floods, heatwave, and pandemic—has strained production,” he shared.
The company recently began exploring collaborations with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to establish a processing station, which would improve product quality and boost production capacity. Since joining the GNBS certification programme, Luke reports a rise in sales and an increase in customer feedback, leading to new packaging designs and plans to launch two products in 2025: powdered cassava cassareep and cube cassareep. These innovations, unveiled at the recent Uncapped exhibition hosted by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), have already received approval from the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GAFDD).

Luke’s Manufacturing also has plans to further expand its seasoning line and add additional products to the GNBS certification programme. Reflecting on the value of the GNBS certification, Luke encouraged other local businesses to join the programme. “Our advice to companies not yet certified would be to get on the ball, contact the GNBS, and begin the process—it can only get better,” he said.

Companies interested in the Made in Guyana certification can find application forms on the GNBS website and reach out to the Certification Services Department at 219-0064-66 or via email at certification@gnbsgy.org.