Richard Pandohie, chief executive officer of Seprod, told the Jamaica Observer that the companies are in the evaluation stage, trying to decide whether to acquire an international or local distribution entity or to build out a facility before the end of the year.
Tentative plans call for Seprod’s joint venture with Seaboard, known as Jamaica Grain & Cereals Ltd., to produce wheat flour and seabocornmeal the local and regional markets, according to the Jamaica Observer.
If the plant comes to fruition, it would join Jamaica Flour Mills Ltd. (JFM) as the only flour mills to operate in Jamaica. Opened in 1964, JFM has been owned by Archer Daniels Midland Co. since 1997.
Despite the limited competition, Pandohie told the Jamaica Observer that he doesn’t expect a “dog-eat-dog” fight with JFM since the majority of Seprod’s production would be directed toward filling demand in export markets.
