La Guaira to Become Home to Latin America’s Largest Wheat Processing Plant
La Guaira State, Venezuela is poised to become a regional leader in wheat processing with teh construction of a new plant projected to be the largest of its kind in Latin America. The project represents a $50 million investment and is one of thirteen initiatives currently underway within the region’s Special Economic Zone (ZEE).
Governor José Alejandro Terán and National Superintendent of Special Economic Zones, Johann Álvarez, jointly announced the project, emphasizing its importance for both national food security and potential export opportunities to Central america and the Caribbean.
Located in the puerto Viejo sector of Catia La Mar Parish, the plant will boast a processing capacity of 48,000 tons per month – equivalent to 1,600 tons per day. Construction is expected to take between 18 and 24 months, creating 150 direct jobs during the building phase and approximately 400 permanent positions once operational.Álvarez highlighted the plant’s alignment with President Nicolás Maduro’s seven economic change goals, specifically focusing on export-oriented growth and diversification of the venezuelan economy beyond reliance on oil revenue. He noted the favorable commercial conditions Venezuela holds with regional partners.
The investment is being provided by private capital, demonstrating confidence in Venezuela’s economic potential, according to Governor terán.
This wheat processing plant is part of a broader wave of investment in La Guaira’s ZEE, which also includes projects focused on fiber optics, router and phone manufacturing (with Iranian investors), sunflower oil refining and packaging (with Turkish partners), LED screen production, spinning, fabric manufacturing, and fish processing – some of which are already generating export revenue.
Officials attribute the ZEE’s success to the direction of President Maduro and executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, positioning the initiative as a key driver for job creation, economic growth, and prosperity. The government views Special Economic Zones as crucial for attracting both domestic and international private investment to revitalize the country’s productive economy.