Guyana records growth in fruit, vegetable production

…as Agri Minister highlights output, export opportunities

This year Guyana’s Agriculture sector has seen significant growth in several key areas. Most recently it was revealed that this year the country has seen an increase in fruit and vegetable production when compared to previous years.
This increase of Fruits and Vegetable production was highlighted by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha in the 2024 edition of the Caribbean Business & Travel (CBT) Magazine. Minister Mustapha who is also The Chairman of the CARICOM Ministerial Task Force on the 25 per cent by 2025 food security initiative, Zulfikar Mustapha, says there is remarkable progress as several countries, especially Guyana, has been ramping up agricultural production and exports.
In this regard the Minister noted that there has been a significant increase in fruit and vegetable production in the country. According to the Minister, there has been a sizeable increase in vegetables produced. In 2022, production totalled 330,449 tonnes compared to 340,643 in 2023 and from January to June 2024 182,238 tonnes were produced.
Fruit production has increased from 197,877 tonnes in 2022 to 205,658 last year and for the first half of 2024, 104,899 tonnes were grown.
Moreover, the Agriculture Minister reveled that discussions were held with the private sector in Barbados, which wants to import from Guyana, a lot more of their fruits and vegetables which they are currently sourcing from Latin America, especially pineapples and oranges. Minister Mustapha further highlighted that at Canal on the West Bank where there used to be cane lands, farmers are now doing largescale pineapple production and there are good prospects for investment for this fruit as well as for broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce.
Meanwhile, also featured in this years’ CBT Magazine was Chief Investment Officer, Office of the President and Agency Head of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) Dr Peter Ramsaroop. According to the Chief Investment Officer, GO-Invest is currently playing a pivotal role in the 25 per cent by 2025 initiative to reduce the region’s food import bill. He revealed that the agency not only facilitates investment but also drives change, by working closely with both domestic and international partners to identify opportunities, streamline processes, and ensure that projects align with national development goals.
Ramsaroop added that Guyana’s leadership in producing food locally and sustainably serves as a model for the region.
“The country’s ability to attract significant investments in agriculture is no accident. It is the result of a deliberate strategy to create a welcoming and supportive investment climate, backed by generous incentives and a clear commitment to sustainable growth.”
The Agency Head pointed to significant incentives for investors, including waivers on import duties and VAT on machinery and equipment, tax concessions on facilities like processing plants, cold storage, large-scale farming, as well as tax-deductible allowances for expenditures on development and cultivation. This initiative creates a more enabling climate for investors.
Additionally, Ramsaroop noted that as the Government continues to invest in the country’s agriculture sector Guyana will soon become a key exporter in high demand areas such as fruits and vegetables.
“Guyana is already a net exporter of rice and sugar, and with continued investment, the country is poised to expand its export footprint even further, particularly in high-demand areas such as vegetables, roots, and livestock feed,”