— amid COVID-19 pandemic

GUYANA has recorded a 13 per cent increase in export of non-traditional agricultural commodities in the first half of 2020 when compared to its corresponding period January to June 2019, amid the COIVD -19 pandemic.

For the period January to June 2020, a total of 5,160 metric tonnes of non-traditional agricultural commodities valued at GY$1.3 billion or US$6 million were exported from Guyana. This represents a 13 per cent increase when compared to the same period in 2019.
According to a release, of the total non-traditional agricultural exports, 99 per cent (5092 metric tonnes) was shipped via sea, representing a 20 per cent increase from 4267 metric tonnes. This increase is due to a 41 per cent (3036 metric tonnes) and 25 per cent (153 metric tonnes) increase in the export of dried coconuts and coconut water respectively.

Exports of coconut products such as coconut water, coconut oil, and coconut choka have all shown significant increases when compared to the same period in 2019.
Furthermore, the country saw a 22 per cent increase in regional exports and a 12 per cent increase in extra-regional exports. The major regional export destinations were Barbados, Trinidad, Suriname, and Antigua, while the extra-regional export destinations were the Dominican Republic, USA, Canada, and France.

Meanwhile, 55 metric tonnes (one per cent) of non-traditional agricultural commodities were sent via air, during the period January to June 2020. The 55 metric tonnes represents an 81 per cent decline in exports via air when compared to the 296 metric tonnes sent during the same period in 2019.
The 81 per cent decline is mainly a result of the continued cessation of flights by Caribbean Airlines due to the closure of the international airports as a result of the measures implemented to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Consequently, there was a decline in the export of commodities such as bora, boulanger, achar, thyme, sweet basil, mangoes, and wiri-wiri peppers, which are exported mainly via air to the USA and Canada.

Further, the closure of the Canawaima Ferry Stelling has also directly affected the export of ginger, eddoes, and pineapples to Suriname.
The Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), in collaboration with the farmers and exporters, is working aggressively to maintain this trend (increase export) amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Officers will continue to create linkages between buyers and sellers of non-agricultural commodities. The ongoing facilitation of the use of the Corporation’s Packaging Facilities will continue.

GMC’s General Manager, Ida Sealey-Adams, would like to thank the exporters for their determination and collaboration in ensuring the export trade remained unhindered amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The table below provides information on the 15 most exported commodities along with their respective export destinations for the period January to June 2020.