Dear Editor,
I’ve been reading the recent flurry of commentary about GuySuCo’s First Crop 2025 performance and myself, with a mix of curiosity and amusement. It’s clear that some writers set out to critique the Corporation’s performance, but somewhere along the line, they took a detour into character assassination and fiction. So, allow me to bring a bit of clarity and perhaps a dose of reality to your esteemed readers.
Let’s start with the basics: yes, First Crop 2025 was not what we projected. But let’s not pretend that we operate in a vacuum. Rainfall this year broke records. Berbice estates saw 212 per cent above the long-term average and Demerara was not far behind. Fifty-three per cent of the available days were classified as “wet days.” That’s not politics; that’s weather. The decision to continue harvesting at Albion wasn’t made on a whim, it was made to reduce losses and protect our future crop. Leaving ripe cane in the fields to rot would have been a true disaster, financially and agronomically.
Now, on to the TC/TS performance and factory downtime. Albion hit as low as 11.38 on good days, and downtime across the industry actually dropped by 22 per cent compared to 2024. Cane yields are up 11 per cent. Yet somehow, these gains were conveniently ignored while conspiracy theories about “quack parts” were pushed without a bit of evidence.
The narrative that “misled” the public about the G$13 billion allocation is not only disingenuous, it’s wrong! GuySuCo’s spending is subject to audits, parliamentary oversight, and, frankly, common sense. As of the end of First Crop, we’ve only used a portion of the funds – nowhere near the inflated G$9 billion figure being thrown around.
As for labour, we are in a situation faced by agricultural businesses worldwide – labour shortages. That’s not a “Cheong problem,” that’s a reality. In fact, GuySuCo offers some of the highest harvester wages in the global sugar industry. Still, people are moving away from agriculture. Our response? Mechanisation! Because building for the future requires adapting, not complaining.
On marketing, the claims being made are outdated. The price GuySuCo is fetching is higher than what’s being quoted in the media, and under my leadership, we’ve started to diversify revenue, upgrade packaging, improve branding, and open up new market channels, including North America.
Looking forward, we’re not sitting still. Plans for Second Crop 2025 are well underway. We’re improving logistics, improving drone technology, remote sensing, and working with international partners like Brazil to improve yields and sugar content.
A new sugar dryer, syrup clarifier, and additional packaging machines are also on the way—including expansion of packaging to Albion Estate, not just Blairmont.
We’re building a new line specifically targeting the North American market. Our factory staff are being trained in predictive maintenance, so we can move from reactive to proactive operations. And yes, we’re focused on value-added products like expanding packet sugar and mini packs lines, because that’s where growth lies.
Constructive criticism? Always welcome. Baseless attacks and name-calling? Not so much. I’m not “bubbling on the job.” I’m navigating a century-old institution through climate change, labour shifts, destruction of infrastructure by the last APNU/AFC Administration and structural reform. That’s a big job, but someone’s got to do it and I’m proud to lead that effort.
We invite our critics to shift gears from tearing down to building up. GuySuCo is not perfect, but we’re moving forward with focus, transparency, and resolve. Let’s work together, not trade barbs in the press.
Sincerely,
Paul Cheong
Chief Executive
Officer Guyana Sugar
Corporation
(GuySuCo)
