GUYANA’s production of rice for 2014 will surpass 600,000 tonnes, according to Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who added that by the end of this month the industry’s exports would amount to some 300,000 tonnes.

“By the end of this month we would have exported close to 300,000 tonnes and since heavy export occurs in September, October and November our target of 461,000 tonnes for 2104 will be met,” he said in an invited comment.
According to him, Guyana’s rice exports have grown phenomenally, but good governance of the industry, as currently practiced, demands that the balance between production and sourcing of new markets be maintained.
“People say that the production has increased and we haven’t found market for it, well it’s a chicken and egg situation, when you go find market and then you don’t have production, you will lose that market,” he said.
He added: “We have to balance our production with finding markets because the easier thing is to reach your production target first because if you reach market targets first and you cannot supply those, you will lose those for a long time, there has to be a balance, which is what we are doing; it is good governance.”
Dr. Ramsammy noted that in 2010, Guyana shifted its focus to Venezuela and neglected markets in the Caribbean, because of limited supply.
“We didn’t have enough to supply Venezuela, Europe and the Caribbean, so we had to make a choice and the choice was that we are going to take the Venezuelan, market and then the last two years we had to work diligently so we capture the European and Caribbean market.
“So it’s a dangerous thing to go and find market and don’t have production because when you reach production it will be years before people trust you again,” Ramsammy explained.

RECAPTURING MARKETS
The Agriculture Minister was emphatic in stressing that Guyana has done an “excellent job” in recapturing the markets.
He stated that currently, in addition to Venezuela, Guyana is making greater headway into the Haitian market, which was lost after the 2010 earthquake; Jamaica is increasing its rice imports; countries across the Caribbean and Europe are doing well; and Guyana is entering markets in Central America.
“We have signed the deal with Panama for export of rice and are engaged in negotiations with Cuba and Guatemala and other countries, whose names I cannot reveal because of the sensitive status of the negotiations,” he said.
Dr. Ramsammy highlighted that talks are also ongoing with Ghana.
“Right now these are price preferred markets…I think we can say safely in 2014, that the European and Caribbean market has been reestablished and in fact we have solidified those markets. I think that is an important point people have to bear in mind, and that comes from hard work by the supplier, the millers and the traders in Guyana,” he said.
The minister stressed that at no time in Guyana’s history, has the rice industry had the export markets it currently has.
He said: “If all our markets come into place, 500,000 tonnes export becomes easy. Indeed 10 years ago people thought that 300,000 tonnes being exported was a utopian dream for Guyana, and I know politicians that have said so. We have changed that.”

NECESSARY CARRY OVER
Ramsammy also addressed the concern expressed earlier this year over the fact that 100,000 tonnes was brought forward from the 2013 second crop and made it clear that this was necessary.
“We have to meet our market demand 365 days a year. We sell rice for people to eat every day. We only harvest twice a year so our exports span the entire 12 months. The carry over is necessary and is the responsible thing to do,” he said.
The minister explained that Guyana not only produces rice for export, but also for local consumption.
He reasoned that of the 600,000 tonnes expected to be produced this year, Guyana will need at least 120,000 tonnes for its own local consumption, which means the non-export of a percentage of the total production is a non-issue.
“Five years ago when we were talking about 500,000 tonnes by 2020, people said it is impossible and we achieved that last year. We adjusted that 500,000 tonnes last year to 600,000 tonnes in 2020, but that will be achieved this year…even so we still cannot export all our rice,” he said.
He dismissed the view expressed by some that Guyana should reduce its production on these grounds.
The first rice crop this year brought in a record-breaking 315,000 tonnes, which is not only the largest single crop, but also surpassed the annual targets made by the industry prior to 2000. For the second crop, some 225,000 acres of rice was cultivated, with a production target of 310,000 tonnes.
Written By Vanessa Narine