– says misguided criticism undermines reform

THE Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) has issued a robust response to a letter published in another section of the media on May 19, 2025, written by Mr. Emily Lorrimer, which raised concerns about the performance of the 2025 first crop, but also launched personal criticisms against the corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Paul Cheong.
In its statement, GuySuCo acknowledged that public scrutiny and accountability are vital but emphasised that criticism must be “grounded in fact and fairness, not conjecture and personal attacks.”

While confirming that the first crop yielded 15,980 metric tonnes of sugar, the corporation pointed out that this outcome must be viewed within the context of extraordinary rainfall and climate-related challenges.
According to GuySuCo, Berbice estates experienced 212 per cent of the long-term mean rainfall and Demerara 160 per cent, with 53 per cent of the days during the period classified as wet. These conditions disrupted field access, harvesting schedules, and factory efficiency. “This isn’t playing politics, it’s a reality of increasingly erratic climatic conditions impacting agriculture globally,” the statement noted.

The corporation defended the decision to continue harvesting ripened cane at Albion as a necessary move to reduce losses, stating that the TC/TS ratio at Albion fell as low as 11.38 on favourable days. Factory downtime also fell by 22 per cent compared to the same period in 2024, and cane yields saw an 11 per cent improvement across the industry.
Responding to allegations that CEO Cheong misrepresented the use of a G$13 billion allocation, GuySuCo called such claims “unfounded,” asserting that public spending is subject to audits and parliamentary scrutiny. The corporation stated that only a portion of the allocation had been used, countering the letter’s claim of G$9 billion.
The statement also addressed broader industry issues, such as labour shortages and mechanisation.
“Declining labour availability is a global agricultural trend,” GuySuCo said, adding that mechanisation efforts are aimed at both bridging that gap and improving cost-efficiency.
Addressing criticisms about marketing and revenues, GuySuCo defended Mr Cheong’s leadership, highlighting efforts to diversify revenue streams, enhance branding, and increase market access.

“The current average price earned by the corporation is significantly greater than what was claimed in the letter,” it stated.
As the corporation prepares for the second crop, it is reviewing its operations and logistics to maximise productivity. GuySuCo reiterated that constructive criticism is welcome, but cautioned that personal attacks only hinder progress.
“Mr Cheong is not ‘bubbling on the job’,” the corporation asserted. “He is leading structural reforms in a century-old institution amid unprecedented challenges—climate change, labour shortages, and market volatility, while laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability.”
The corporation called for a more united and constructive approach to rebuilding the sugar industry, urging stakeholders to engage in nation-building with transparency and shared resolve.