Sugar production expanded by 136.7 percent in the first half of 2025, while the rice industry recorded a 13.9 percent expansion, other crops sub sector grew by 7.4 percent, and the livestock subsector expanded by 11.7 percent, as part of an overall 9 percent growth in the agriculture, fishing, and forestry sector, according to statistics from the Mid-Year Report 2025.

According to the Report, by the end of June, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) produced 15,954 tonnes of sugar in the first crop of this year, compared with 6,739 tonnes during the same period in 2024.

Employment in the sugar industry also rose, with 470 new workers hired in the first half of 2025, bringing total employment at GuySuCo to 8,362 persons as of June. Value-added production is also advancing, with GuySuCo producing 2,686 tonnes of Demerara Gold packaged sugar and expanding output of Albion Gems branded products.

“The Government remained firmly committed to investing in the sugar industry with the sum of $7.8 billion spent during the first half to advance the planned rehabilitation of the five sugar estates and to ensure the smooth operation of the sugar industry for expanded sugar production,” the Report noted.

Despite heavy rainfall, where levels reached as much as 600 millimetres above normal, GuySuCo managed to convert 80 hectares of land for mechanised operations, with another 1,880 hectares slated for conversion in the second half of the year. The production target for sugar remains approximately 101,000 tonnes for 2025, with the larger second crop expected to drive further gains.

Rice

Meanwhile, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) reported production of 410,194 tonnes of rice equivalent for the first six months of 2025, up from 362,030 tonnes in the same period last year. Favourable weather and continued government support, including $2.2 billion in fertiliser and pesticide assistance, has helped sustain yields at 6.6 tonnes per hectare. The production target for the full year remains 804,000 tonnes, with an overall projected growth of 12.4 percent.

“Fertilizer support of $2 billion benefited nearly 5,300 farmers in the form of 1 bag urea per acre per crop and pesticide support to manage the paddy for bug infestation benefiting over 2,352 farmers, at the end of June. Farmers will continue to benefit from this support in the second half of 2025,” the Report said.

“During the second crop, an additional 25 farmers covering 263 acres are expected to benefit from field elevation services, 30 farmers with 251 acres are expected to benefit from crop establishment services and another six demonstration plots are expected to be established. By the end of the year, farmers in all Regions will be digitally registered on a spatial map allowing for easy identification of farm locations, resource distribution and addressing region-specific needs.”

Other Crops

The other crops subsector experienced increased output across nearly all major categories: vegetables (6.9%), coconuts (30.3%), fruits (10.1%), root crops (14.1%), and spices (12.8%). This expansion has been supported by improved weather conditions, expanded acreage, and the continued spread of shade-house cultivation — with 97 new shade houses constructed so far this year, bringing the total since 2021 to 700.

According to the report in the second half of the year an additional 98 shade houses are expected to be constructed. As a result, production increased for such crops as broccoli, cauliflower, sweet peppers, and lettuce, as well as for roses.

“The expansion of the cultivation of high-valued crops progressed with increased participation of farmers groups, women and youths. The government continues to provide support in areas such as training in climate smart technologies, hydroponics and shade farming,” the report noted.

Livestock

The livestock subsector expansion was bolstered by higher output across all product lines. Poultry production increased by 12.8 percent, aided by reduced incidences of Inclusion Body Hepatitis and new sources of hatching eggs.

During the first half of the year the government expended some $867.7 million of the total $1.7 billion budgeted for the industry, supporting key initiatives such as the installation of new duck hatchers, poultry facilities, and the ongoing construction of a beef abattoir and modular pig processing facility.

“Five duck incubators and hatchers with the capacity of approximately 38,000 each were acquired and will be installed in Regions 2, 4 and 6. In the second half, a chick master incubator and hatcher for black giant chicks will be installed, increasing the capacity by 59,000 birds,” the report noted.

Adding that: “Additional poultry production facilities will be established with the capacity of 32,000 – 45,000 birds each, in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10 to increase the production of broiler birds. Further, a poultry zone will be established at St. Cuthbert’s Mission with 500 acres of land. By the end of 2025, the installation of the equipment for the modular duck processing facility is expected to be completed.”

Fisheries 

In the fishing and aquaculture subsector, fish output grew by 16.1 percent, reaching 11,404 tonnes by the end of June 2025. However, overall growth was tempered by a decline in marine shrimp production, which fell by 42.4 percent to 5,520 tonnes, largely due to low fleet activity and poor catch rates. Despite this, the subsector is still projected to grow by 2.1 percent for the year.

The report also notes that the manufacturing sector expanded by 26.8 percent in the first half of 2025, driven by strong growth across all subcategories — other manufacturing (30.8%), rice manufacturing (12.4%), and sugar manufacturing (136.7%). This broad-based growth reflects improved output in non-metallic products, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and other processed goods.

Agro-processing 

In the agro-processing industry the government spent $456.4 million of the budgeted $800 million to support the development of the industry, with a drive to expand production of non-traditional crops.

“The Guyana Marketing Corporation recorded 73 additional products being available in the first half of 2025 that included expanded product lines of wines, soaps and flours and new products that included seasoning, condiments and snacks. Moreover, to support agro-processors in accessing market opportunities, four new Guyana Shop corners were established in Regions 4 and 6, bringing the total number of Guyana Shop corners in operation to 85 locally in all Regions excepting Region 8, and two in Bridgetown, Barbados,” the Report noted.

Meanwhile, government initiatives in rice technology, pest control, coconut and citrus cultivation, and aquaculture continued to modernise the agriculture sector. Efforts include the use of drones for crop monitoring, the rollout of biocontrol methods to tackle the paddy bug infestation, and the completion of new seed drying facilities in Regions 2 and 6.

The report underscores that the sector’s resilience — despite fluctuating global commodity prices and heavy rainfall — is being maintained through strategic investments in technology, drainage, irrigation, and infrastructure.

With agriculture remaining a cornerstone of Guyana’s non-oil economy, the government says it remains “firmly committed to ensuring sustainability and competitiveness across all subsectors,” even as the oil and gas industry continues to expand.