USDA-certified slaughterhouse seen to open in March

Former Tinian Mayor Joseph San Nicholas believes that Tinian has the potential to expand its hog production for both local consumption and export.

San Nicholas has joined with businessman Tony Pellegrino and several other local investors to build a USDA-certified slaughterhouse. Located in an abandoned garment factory in Lower Base, the facility is expected to be operational by end of March.

Local ranchers are now encouraged to start increasing production to supply hogs for the slaughterhouse, which will be operated by Marianas Meat Harvesting Co.

Commonwealth farmers and ranches have always been limited because the CNMI imports most of its pork, according to Isidro T. Cabrera. “A slaughterhouse will allow our farmers and ranchers to raise more animals for commercial purposes.”

The government-owned slaughterhouse in As Perdido ceased operations in 1999 and the Department of Lands and Natural Resources deemed the premises to be abandoned in February 2008. No USDA-certified slaughterhouse exists on any of the islands, including Guam.

According to Cabrera, a slaughterhouse in Lower Base will bring in more revenue for farmers and ranchers since they will now be able to export fresh meat products to neighboring islands such as Guam. “A lot of people prefer fresh meat so the slaughterhouse will really be a good project for local farmers and ranchers, ” he said.

San Nicholas sees the cost of feed as the traditional drawback to expanding hog production. “Imported feed is costly because of high freight costs and high price of corn,” he said.

To counteract this, San Nicholas has invested in a pellet-making machine on Tinian that can take locally grown agricultural product and make feed pellet for hogs. He plans to sell feed pellets to local ranchers on all the islands to feed hog.

Hogs raised on Tinian can be shipped via the SN5 to Saipan and slaughtered at Marianas Meat Harvesting Co. Ranchers on Saipan can purchase feed pellets to feed their hogs, which will grow faster and heavier. San Nicholas sees economic growth for local farmers and ranchers by integrating feed production and fattening of hogs by local farmers.

Marianas Meat Harvesting Co. will contract to buy hogs at a specific weight delivered to their facility at an agreed date. Hogs are pre-sold to the buyer and are paid upon delivery.

When asked how Marianas Meat Harvest Co. plans to export meat to Guam, Pellegrino said, “Artic Circle Air will handle shipping and distribution to Guam. Our plan is to ship fresh chilled pork product on a daily basis to insure freshness.”

San Nicholas feels that the time is now right for large agricultural growth on the islands by combining farming with feed production, slaughter, and delivery to customers.

“I have joined Artic Circle Air as an investor and director and hope to use my experience to jump start the local economy,” he said. “We need to find ways to help our local people get jobs and earn money.”

He urges CNMI leadership, including the governor, mayors, and Legislature, to encourage and support farming and ranching as a way to help grow the economy. “Our people have been involved in farming and ranching for many generations and now it’s time to return to the basics. We have the land and the skills we need to work together,” he added.