GUYANA has experienced a notable surge in honey production, with the industry demonstrating exceptional growth, even in traditionally unproductive periods. The Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Madanlall Ramraj, officially confirmed this during a recent meeting with the business community at Jaigobin Hotel in Henrietta, Essequibo Coast.

Ramraj informed the gathering that despite June being a traditionally low-yield month, beekeepers managed to produce 413 liters of honey. He emphasised that such productivity during a non-productive period is unprecedented in the country’s history.
He credited this success to the extensive technical support provided to beekeepers by the Ministry of Agriculture, which has played a pivotal role in tripling honey production in the first half of the year. He also highlighted the contributions of three specialists from Cuba who are assisting in the region.
The Ministry has shown its commitment to the industry by allocating funds in this year’s budget to procure 3,000 hives and related accessories.

These hives will be distributed across various regions to support different apiculture projects. Ramraj reassured that the Ministry will continue to provide unwavering support to those involved in the honey industry.
As Guyana advances rapidly in its agricultural development to achieve food security, the Ministry is working on agreements that will benefit all stakeholders in the sector.
Drawing a comparison, a recent article in Bee Culture – The Magazine of American Beekeeping – noted that Cuba produced over 10,500 tonnes of honey in 2021.
Supported by the government, Cuba’s honey industry saw record exports of 8,500 tonnes, primarily to Western Europe, Canada, Japan, the Bahamas, and Martinique. Meanwhile, the global honey market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2 per cent from 2022 to 2030.
Expanding Guyana’s honey industry is a key priority on the government’s agricultural development agenda. In 2022, Guyana produced over 3,700 gallons of honey, and the Ministry of Agriculture has vowed to continue supporting bee farmers.
Ramraj noted that through the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), efforts are being made to further develop the honey industry, particularly in hinterland communities.

In the year 2023, apiculturists hailing from Regions One, Five, and Six were provided with assistance in order to improve their operations. As of 2021, the global honey market reached a valuation of US$8.58 billion. Due to its abundant nutritional benefits, such as vitamins, minerals, calcium, and antioxidants, honey retains its status as a natural sweetener, resulting in an increasing global demand for pure and unadulterated honey.