Aquaculture output to jump over 50% by yearend as shrimp production soars

…honey production also set to rise 35% – Agri Minister

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has reported that aquaculture production is expected to increase by more than 50 per cent by the end of 2025, largely due to significant investment in the brackish water shrimp industry.
Speaking in a social media post on Tuesday, the Minister highlighted the performance of the sector, noting that since the implementation of the brackish water shrimp project, production has surged dramatically.

“Aquaculture production is expected to increase by more than 50 per cent by the end of 2025. This growth is mainly attributed to the significant investment in the brackish water shrimp industry. Since the implementation of the brackish water shrimp project, brackish water shrimp production has increased from 9933 kilograms [kg] per month to 129,000 kilograms per month, representing a more than 2300 per cent annual increase from 2021 to 2025,” Mustapha stated.
According to the agriculture Minister, aquaculture farmers are estimated to have earned over $4.8 million as a result of the brackish water shrimp project.
He added that the Government will continue to invest in the development of the agriculture sector, with a strong focus on utilising technology to ensure higher productivity, reduced production costs, improved food quality, greater sustainability, and enhanced agricultural resilience.

Mustapha said these initiatives are aligned with the Government’s broader objective of creating a food-secure economy that reduces regional dependency and contributes to achieving the country’s “2025 plus five” targets.
He noted that Guyana’s agriculture sector continues to perform exceptionally well despite the rapid expansion of the oil and gas industry.

Honey production
Another major breakthrough highlighted was growth in honey production.
“As part of our commitment to resuscitating the apiculture industry, honey production is expected to grow by at least 35 per cent. We have invested approximately $75 million in the National Honey Expansion Programme and the establishment of a pre-rearing facility,” he said.
He also emphasised that Guyana is not producing solely for domestic consumption but is aligning its production systems with international benchmarks for quality, market access, and financial stability.
“We are directly linking our farmers to regional markets by improving transport, ports, and logistics. This is why our ongoing infrastructure works – from critical drainage and irrigation projects to the impoldering of farmlands – are so vital,” he added.

The livestock sector to grow by 9%
Turning to the livestock sector, the Minister said continued investments have resulted in growth in the production of poultry meat, beef, mutton, and honey. He noted that the livestock sector is expected to grow by at least nine per cent by the end of 2025, driven by genetic improvement, pasture development, the introduction of modern animal housing such as tunnel houses, local production of hatching eggs, and the construction and operationalisation of an adult hatchery.
The Minister further stated that overall agricultural production is expected to grow by at least nine per cent by the end of 2025, with notable increases anticipated in rice, coconuts, soybeans, fruits and vegetables, poultry meat, honey, and aquaculture.
The Government has reiterated that the future of the agriculture sector lies in the establishment of large-scale production hubs and megafarms aimed at positioning Guyana as a key regional supplier of agricultural commodities.
According to the Government, continued investment will focus on expanding large-scale farming operations, particularly in livestock, dairy, and sugar production, while encouraging private sector partnerships and consortia similar to those established for corn and soy cultivation.
The Government emphasised that priority will be given to investments that are sustainable, profitable, and resilient, as it seeks to strengthen food security and expand agricultural exports across the region.