PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced that Guyana will soon begin large-scale production of cocoa and coffee.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) last week, President Ali said that within the next few weeks, large-scale cultivation of cacoa and coffee will commence, alongside broader investments in agricultural and food systems.
He outlined a series of initiatives aimed at transforming the sector, including expanded aquaculture, manual cultivation projects, and the completion of a national food terminal and hub. These developments, he noted, are part of a wider strategy to position Guyana as a key player in regional and global food production.
“Within the next few weeks, we will have large-scale cocoa cultivation, cocao as we call it, we will have large-scale coffee cultivation, manual cultivation, expansion of aquaculture, the completion of the food terminal, a food hub,” the President said.
He highlighted growing interest from major private-sector players, who are increasingly investing in food production and agro-processing.
The Head of State stressed that such investments are critical as the world continues to grapple with high food and transportation costs.
“More and more and more, we’re seeing the large private-sector organisations in Guyana moving towards investment in food, investment in agro- processing,” he said, adding: “This is what is important for the future of our country, as we see today, the cost of food, cost of transportation, to move that food in a region and a world that is still recovering from COVID, still reeling from the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war, now having to navigate these challenges, we are equally committed to providing relief to consumers, because a strong consumer base is the foundation of a strong partner.”
Earlier this month, President Ali had met with RIZEK Cacao, a renowned Dominican Republic (DR) processing and export company of cocoa and its products, which has expressed interest in expanding its operations to Guyana.
“The world is watching. The world is investing in Guyana. The world is recognising what we already know that this is, this is a country on the rise, and as we rise, we must rise together, because growth that excludes is growth that fractures, but growth that includes is growth that endures,” President Ali said.
First established in 1905, Rizek Cacao is said to be an expert in processing and exporting cocoa and its products, adhering to international norms and standards to satisfy the needs and expectations of consumers.
Back in 2025, Guyana and the DR had inked an agreement to establish approximately 200 acres each of coffee and cocoa in Region One (Barima- Waini), as part of the country’s broader efforts to boost economic diversification, enhance rural livelihoods, and expand regional trade.
That agreement had underscored the importance of sustainable agriculture and technical co-operation and will support the development, cultivation, processing and marketing of both crops. It will also pave the way for joint research and development programmes, as well as value-added production and trade facilitation in the cocoa and coffee sectors.
