THE marketing prospects for Guyana’s coconut and its products to the Caribbean and the rest of the world have never been better than today.

This was evident yesterday when the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC) hosted a grand “Coconut Exposition” during which a variety of coconut products were on display and for sale by various companies and entrepreneurs from across the country. The event, which was hosted at the Guyana Shop, Robb & Alexander Streets, Lacytown, Georgetown, saw a large turnout of Guyanese who were seemingly amazed by the number of products which could be derived from coconuts.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, General Manager of GMC, Mr. Nizam Hassan said that the main aim of the exposition was to bring all stakeholders together and involve the Guyanese population, so that they could be aware of what Guyana is doing in the coconut industry and what the potential opportunities are.
According to him, the exposition is the brainchild of Agriculture Minister, Dr.Leslie Ramsammy, who thought that given all the good things taking place in the coconut industry, they should bring together all the stakeholders that are involved.
These stakeholders, he noted, include farmers, manufacturers of products which are made from the coconut and also those persons who make confectionery which are derived from the coconut.
Mr. Hassan added that immediate contact with the customers at the exposition would also help to stimulate interest and investment in the products on display, as well as contribute to the research aspect, since they would be able to gain feedback from these customers.
He pointed out that globally, coconut and coconut products are increasingly in demand, and it is their understanding that large companies such as Pepsi and Coca Cola have already invested in large plantations in other countries, not only in bottling of the products, but also in production.
Making reference to coconut oil, Mr. Hassan said it has been proven that coconut oil has tremendous health benefits, and there has been renewed interest in this product.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy had announced that Guyana produces 100 million coconuts per year and exports nearly US$3M in coconut products.
After rice and sugar, coconut is the largest cultivated crop in Guyana.
Dr. Ramsammy had also announced that his ministry would be establishing a national oversight committee, with members from the private and public sectors, for the local coconut industry.
He had said he also  intends to include representatives of the various commercial banks, the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
Products on display at the exposition included extra virgin coconut oil, coconut water, canned coconut cream & milk, coconut craft, coconut wine, as well as coconut dishes such as coconut flakes, coconut custard tarts and coconut wafers.
Also on display was information on innovative technologies, proper post- harvest management, improved farming practices and export requirements for coconuts.
Participants at the exposition included persons from the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA),the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) and the national Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI)
Local entrepreneurs from as far as Linden and Berbice also came out to display and sell their coconut products at the exposition, hoping for increased investments.