0.6-0.8T/H Shrimp Feed Pellet Making Machine in Guatemala

In the lush, tropical lowlands of the Petén region, a large, diversified agricultural processing company observed a growing opportunity.

Traditionally focused on processing palm oil, citrus, and basic livestock feed, the company recognized the steady expansion of small and medium-scale Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp farming along Guatemala's Pacific coast.

While their existing feed mill produced rations for poultry and cattle, they lacked the specialized equipment to produce the high-quality, water-stable pellets required for shrimp.

Local farmers either formulated feed on-farm with unpredictable results, or paid a premium for imported products.

Seeing a chance to leverage their existing grain sourcing, grinding, and mixing infrastructure, the company's leadership decided to add a dedicated shrimp feed line.

This was not about building a new facility from scratch, but about adding the final, value-adding piece of technology to their existing operation.

The critical missing component was a specialized shrimp feed pellet making machine.

This was a strategic new purchase of a single machine, intended to be bolted onto the end of their existing pre-processing line, transforming their mixed mash into a commercial-grade shrimp feed pellet.

This single-machine investment allowed them to enter a new, higher-margin market with minimal additional overhead by utilizing their current plant's backbone.

A Diversified Guatemalan Agribusiness Expanding into Niche Markets

The client is a major player in Guatemalan agro-industry, with extensive experience in bulk commodity processing.

Their move into shrimp feed is a classic example of horizontal diversification – using existing assets to serve a new customer segment.

The decision to purchase a single, dedicated aquafeed pellet mill was driven by market opportunity and operational efficiency.

They needed a machine that could be installed in an existing bay of their feed mill, interface with their current steam boiler and control systems, and reliably produce pellets that would meet the expectations of quality-conscious shrimp farmers.

Buying one machine minimized risk while allowing them to test the market and refine their shrimp feed formula.

The machine's reliability was crucial, as any downtime would idle not just the new shrimp line, but also the grinding and mixing operations feeding it.

Raw Material Integration and Machine Specification for Diversified Production

The company's strategy is to use a blend of locally sourced and imported materials:

• Local Ingredients: Broken rice and corn from their existing grain supply chains, palm kernel meal as a by-product from their own palm oil processing, providing a unique, cost-effective fiber and protein source.
• Imported Supplements: Soybean meal, high-grade fishmeal, and specialized shrimp feed premixes including binders and attractants.

The formulation targets the grow-out phase for semi-intensive pond farming.

Given that this is a new product line for the company, they needed a machine with a capacity that matched a realistic market entry goal, not the full output of their plant.

After assessing the potential demand from regional shrimp farms, the RICHI SZLH320 Shrimp Feed Pellet Making Machine was selected.

To provide production flexibility and ensure they could fulfill larger initial contracts, they opted to purchase two units.

• Model: SZLH320 (Two Units)
• Main Motor Power: 37 kW per unit – a robust yet efficient power level suitable for their factory's electrical capacity and for the pellet sizes they planned to produce.
• Conditioner Configuration – Ensuring Product Acceptance: They selected the Three-Layer Single-Shaft Conditioner with Extended Retention Time (4kW). This choice was critical for their application. The local ingredients, particularly palm kernel meal, require thorough thermal treatment and hydration to ensure binding and palatability. The extended retention time in the triple-stage conditioner ensures the mash is fully cooked and homogenous, which is essential for producing a pellet that doesn't crumble in water – a key concern for farmers switching from imported feed.
• Ring Die Internal Diameter: 320mm – a versatile size that is excellent for producing the smaller diameter pellets required for shrimp without sacrificing production capacity.
• Target Pellet Sizes: The primary focus is 2.0mm sinking pellets for the juvenile-to-grow-out market. The machine's design also allows for the production of 1.5mm pellets for more specialized nursery customers.
• Combined Output: Each machine offers a capacity of 0.6-0.8 tonnes per hour. With two machines, the new line can produce 1.2-1.6 tonnes per hour. This is an ideal entry-level commercial scale, allowing them to supply several large farms or numerous smaller ones, building their brand without overproducing.

The Pellet Making Machine's Role

These two shrimp feed pellet machines are the gateways to a completely new business segment for the agri-processor.

1. Creating a Value-Added Product from Existing Outputs: The machines transform low-value, bulk agricultural commodities (broken rice, palm kernel meal) and imported concentrates into a high-value, specialized feed. This dramatically increases the profit margin extracted from their existing supply chain and processing assets.
2. Establishing a Local Quality Standard: By producing a consistent, durable pellet locally, they provide farmers with an alternative to variable farm-made mixes or expensive imports. Their feed becomes the new regional benchmark for quality and value, strengthening their brand across multiple agricultural sectors.
3. Providing Technical Support and Building Trust: As an established local company, they can offer hands-on technical service to shrimp farmers – something distant international suppliers cannot do. The reliability of their feed, produced by the RICHI machines, becomes the foundation of long-term customer relationships and repeat business.
4. Enhancing Supply Chain Security for Farmers: Guatemalan shrimp farmers gain a reliable, in-country source of feed, insulating them from international freight delays and currency exchange volatility. This security is a powerful selling point.

The finished pellets are packaged in 25kg and 40kg bags under a new, dedicated brand name, distributed through both their existing agricultural supply network and new aquaculture-focused channels.

Delivery to Central America's Pacific Coast

The two pellet making machines were assembled, tested, and then prepared for ocean freight.

They were disassembled into manageable modules and packed securely in a single 40-foot container. The shipment departed from Qingdao Port.

For Guatemala, the primary Pacific coast port of entry for heavy machinery is Port of Quetzal. The container was shipped to Puerto Quetzal, cleared through customs, and transported by road to the company's processing complex in Petén.

Why the SZLH320 with Extended Conditioning Was the Right Choice

The company's production engineers selected RICHI based on its specific ability to handle their unique ingredient mix and deliver entry-level commercial scale.

• Right-Sized for Market Entry: The SZLH320 shrimp feed pellet mill provides the perfect balance between industrial capability and manageable scale for a company testing a new market. It is substantial enough to be taken seriously by commercial farmers but not so large as to be a white elephant if demand grows slowly.
• Advanced Conditioning for Challenging Ingredients: The Three-Layer Conditioner with Extended Retention was specifically chosen to tackle the inclusion of palm kernel meal. This ingredient requires more cooking time and moisture to become bindable. The advanced conditioner ensures this happens, preventing the production of weak, crumbly pellets that would fail in the market. This focus on process over pure power shows a sophisticated understanding of feed manufacturing.
• Energy Efficiency and Ease of Integration: The 37kW motor is efficient and easier to integrate into their existing electrical substation than a much larger unit. The machine's standardized dimensions and connection points made the physical installation into their existing feed mill building straightforward.
• Proven Reliability for Continuous Operation: While smaller than some models, the SZLH320 is built with the same quality components and engineering principles as its larger siblings. This ensures it can run the long shifts required for commercial feed production, a must for justifying the investment.

Facilitating a Smooth Diversification

We supported this strategic diversification with a pragmatic and efficient partnership.

• Pre-Installation Site Integration Review: Our engineers reviewed the client's plant layout and provided detailed guidance on spatial requirements, steam line connections, and mash feed points to ensure a smooth integration with their legacy systems.
• Focused Commissioning and Recipe Testing: A RICHI engineer conducted the installation and commissioning. A significant part of this process was running their specific formula – with its palm kernel meal – and adjusting conditioner parameters (steam, retention time) to optimize pellet durability before full production began.
• Operational Training for a New Process: We trained the client's existing feed mill staff, who were experts in livestock feed, on the different requirements and sensitivities of shrimp feed production, focusing on conditioner management and pellet quality inspection.

From the Vice President of New Business Development

After the first shrimp harvest season using their feed was completed by early adopter farmers, the company's VP shared this perspective:

"Adding the shrimp feed production line with the RICHI pellet machines has been a successful venture for us. The installation integrated well with our existing mill. The conditioners on these machines were key for our recipe; we managed to get a very stable pellet from our local ingredients mix. The feedback from the farmers has been positive – they see good growth and the pellets hold up in the water. For us, operating the machines has been trouble-free. Having two gives us the ability to meet our initial orders comfortably. This shrimp feed pellet making machine investment allowed us to enter a new market with a quality product without a massive capital project. It's opened up a valuable new revenue stream and strengthened our position as a full-service supplier to Guatemalan agriculture."

Catalyzing Agribusiness Diversification in Guatemala

This project in Guatemala highlights how RICHI's flexible and robust pelleting technology enables established agribusinesses to diversify and capture value in emerging sectors.

The two RICHI SZLH320 Shrimp Feed Pellet Making Machines provided the precise, scalable tool needed to transform existing raw materials into a premium product for a new customer base.

It demonstrates that RICHI Machinery is a partner for growth, offering solutions that help processors adapt, innovate, and expand their portfolios efficiently.

This partnership underscores how a strategic investment in the right feed pellet making machine can unlock new markets and build resilience for agricultural businesses in evolving economies.

Are you a diversified agri-processor, a cooperative, or an existing feed mill looking to add aquaculture feed to your product line? The right pelleting system is your gateway to this high-value market.

RICHI Machinery offers a versatile range of shrimp feed pellet making machines, aquafeed pelletizers, and commercial feed pellet presses designed for seamless integration and reliable performance.

Contact RICHI Machinery today to discuss how our technology can help you diversify your production and capture new opportunities, just as we partnered with a forward-thinking agribusiness in Guatemala to successfully navigate into the thriving shrimp farming sector.