– national storage being built for that and other products, President Ali says
PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali recently said Guyana is seeking international markets for its expanding honey production.
Speaking at a recent farmer’s conference, President Ali said honey output had risen by “hundreds of percentage points” and that discussions were underway with global consumers about how Guyanese honey could enter their supply chains.
“We have increased our honey production by hundreds of percentage points. We are now talking to global consumers of honey as to how we’re going to use that honey into their system,” he said.
Honey production rose dramatically from 2,124 gallons in 2023 to 27,061 gallons by the end of 2024, with a target of 30,000 in 2025.
Dr Ali pointed to honey as one example of how agricultural production could grow when investment and market access develop together. He said the government was building national storage for honey as part of a wider effort to strengthen the country’s food-storage capacity.
That broader plan also includes storage for rice in Regions Two and Three, increased private-sector storage for poultry, and a regional food hub for fresh crops and vegetables. Dr Ali said expanded storage could help build a buffer against supply disruptions and price volatility, including shocks caused by climate-related events or disease.
For honey producers, storage could support the handling and marketing of larger volumes, while access to international buyers could create new opportunities for sales.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha previously disclosed that Guyana has the potential to produce the best honey in this part of the world, and that the government is already collaborating with other Caribbean nations to eliminate non-tariff barriers and open new export markets.
The minister also emphasised the importance of value-added production, noting that the future of the local honey industry extends beyond raw honey to include products such as beeswax, royal jelly, and specialty honey, all of which can drive profitability, create jobs, and empower rural communities.
He said that ensuring the purity, safety and quality of Guyanese honey will be essential to branding it as a regional and international product.
The Guyana Food Safety Authority, he added, has been instrumental in strengthening the country’s food standards and legislation to ensure compliance with international export requirements.
The minister had said the government is fully aware of the apiculture industry’s potential and has been investing heavily to modernise the sector through innovation, technology, and training.
