THE Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) recently released the list of the top exported commodities for 2017, and commodities in high demand from Guyana were: coconuts, wiri wiri pepper, pumpkins, eddoes, watermelons, mangoes, pineapples, limes and ginger.

“GMC plays a major role in facilitating the exports of these commodities. We are heavily involved in bridging the gap as it relates to linking farmers to markets. We ensure our suppliers know the needs of the market and the standards and quality that these markets require,” General Manager of the GMC, Mrs. Ida Sealey-Adams has said.

According to her, in 2017, the corporation recorded a 25 percent increase in non-traditional agricultural exports when compared to the previous year, valued at GY$3.6 billion or US$17 million. Coconut and coconut-based products have contributed significantly to Guyana’s overall exports. Coconut exports for 2017 have proven to be 29 percent higher than the 6,987 metric tonnes that were exported in 2016.

Additionally, in 2017, coconut water exports increased significantly, by 28 percent, as compared to 2016.

For the first time in the last three years under review, coconut water was exported in its shell to St. Kitts. A total of 56 tonnes were processed at the Central Packaging Facility during the fourth quarter of 2017.

With the increased production of coconuts in 2017, exports of coconut products such as coconut water, coconut ‘choka’ and coconut crude oil have all evidently increased when compared to the previous year.

Lime, mango, pineapple and watermelon were among the major exported commodities over the past three years. These four fruits collectively accounted for approximately six percent of the total commodities exported for 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Lime exports recorded a 39 percent increase in 2017 when compared to 2016.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, there was an increase in the quantity of mangoes exported from Guyana. 2017 saw Guyana’s mango exports totalling 244 metric tonnes, which represents a 19 percent increase over the 2016 export figures.

Other commodities like pineapples and watermelons also saw increased exports for 2017. Pineapples increased by 54 percent while watermelons totalled 237 tonnes as compared to 232 tonnes that were exported in 2016.

Eddo exports for the year under review were 277 tonnes while in 2016 a total of 313 tonnes of the commodity were exported. Although there was a decline in exports of this crop, a small quantity of sweet potatoes and yams was also exported in 2017.

Sealey-Adams said, “The GMC will continue to facilitate the process while working to secure more and larger markets for Guyana’s non-traditional commodities.”

GMC’s mandate stipulates that the corporation coordinates and facilitates the development and marketing of quality agricultural produce and product. The corporation also provides exporters of non-traditional agricultural products with marketing advice, assistance for sourcing supplies, harvesting, cleaning, packaging and facilitating logistical arrangements for exports.