–within first half of 2026
GUYANA’S non-oil export sector posted strong growth in the first half of 2026, with earnings up 24.6 percent to US$1,146 million compared with the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Finance’s Mid-Year Report 2026.
The result shows that the economy’s expansion reaches well beyond oil and that the government’s diversification strategy is delivering. Gold led the gains, and sugar and bauxite also recorded higher earnings.
The advance came alongside an exceptional oil performance, with crude oil export earnings climbing 82.1 percent to US$15.053 billion and total exports rising 76.4 percent to US$16.199 billion.
Non-oil exports still held their own in that company, and the Mid-Year Report puts non-oil economic growth at an estimated 10.1 percent for the half-year.
Gold was the main driver. Gold exports expanded by US$269.8 million to reach US$826.2 million, supported by favourable prices in the first half.
The Bureau of Statistics’ external trade analysis shows this was a 48.5 percent increase over the US$556.3 million recorded in the same period of 2025.
Other traditional exports also contributed. Sugar earnings rose by US$6.6 million, in line with a 19.3 percent expansion in the sugar-growing subsector as investment in the industry continues.
Bauxite earnings increased by US$0.9 million, supported by a 7.3 percent rise in output to 1,763,222 tonnes despite heavy rains that flooded pits during the period.
The outlook is encouraging. The Mid-Year Report projects full-year gold export earnings of US$2.307 billion. That is well above the 2026 budget estimate of US$1.754 billion and last year’s total of US$1.617 billion.
At the budget presentation, non-oil exports were projected to rise 8.6 percent to US$2.5 billion for the year, mainly on higher gold and bauxite earnings. The first-half results suggest that target is within reach.
The results fit the government’s wider strategy of building a diversified, resilient economy. Public investment in infrastructure, support for miners and farmers, and a focus on skills and local enterprise are widening the base of Guyana’s growth.
