By Charles Gladden
ORANGE WALK TOWN, Thurs. Nov. 27, 2025
The grand opening for the Caribbean Organic Foodstuff Co. Ltd.’s state-of-the-art Manna Flour Mill took place on Wednesday, November 26, in Carmelita Village, Orange Walk.
The hi-tech flour mill was conceptualized and designed in the first half of this year, with a 10-month construction period prior to its becoming operational. The mill will produce flour through semi-automated machines, producing 150 tons per day.
“This is a state-of-the-art facility that can produce flour of the same quality or higher quality than any available flour, and we are aiming to produce higher quality than is available. As a matter of fact, we can adjust the protein or nutrients in the flour as per the customer’s request,” said Fortunato Noble, communications director for Caribbean Organic Foodstuff.
Manna flour has already been making its way into retail stores, competing with other well-known brands.
“We are penetrating the market, and it is being received well. We produce two types of flour: an all-purpose flour and an enriched baker’s flour. The prices will be anywhere between $79 and $85 per hundred-pound sack; it is far cheaper than what we have in the market. It’s actually 11% lower than the regulated price,” Noble pointed out.
He went on to state that the company has begun distributing its products in various pre-packaged quantities (2, 3, 5, 20, 50, and 100 pounds) to avoid numerous health risks.
“We want to try to move away from this system that you get a hundred-pound sacks to the retailers, and then you have workers there, packaging the flour manually and packing it on shelves. So, it’s unsightly and unhealthy,” he said.
The Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. John Briceño, was present at the ceremony and remarked, “It’s a product that can be done not only for the Belizean market, but the factory is so big that it could eventually start to export into the Caribbean market. I can tell you from what I’m seeing here today that all our citizens, at the retail level, at home, and the bakers, are going to be satisfied with the product that is being produced here. I want to ensure that our government will do everything possible to support you in getting your product into the Caribbean,” he expressed.
Caribbean Organic Foodstuff Co., Ltd. is also known for producing ramen noodles and it operates a brewery which produces the well-known Mine Beer. The flour mill currently employs 130 individuals, which is expected to increase as production demands grow.
