Agriculture, forestry sectors strengthen in first half of 2025 -BoG

Guyana’s agriculture sector delivered a strong performance for the first half of 2025, with major improvements in sugar, rice, livestock, and other crop production, even as parts of the fishing industry continued to face challenges. The newly released Bank of Guyana Half-Year Report shows broad-based growth across several key sub-sectors, supported by better infrastructure, expanded acreage, favourable weather, and continued government support.

Sugar recorded one of its strongest turnarounds in recent years. Output jumped by 136.7 per cent to 15,954 tonnes, compared to 6,739 tonnes in the first half of 2024. The report attributes this rebound to rehabilitated infrastructure, new field equipment, ongoing mechanisation, and investments in human capital that helped stabilise operations.

The rice industry also expanded, with production rising by 13.9 per cent to 410,194 tonnes, up from 362,029.5 tonnes one year earlier. Cultivation increased significantly, 96,715 hectares were sown, a 13.8 per cent rise, while 95,788 hectares were harvested, up 13.2 per cent from mid-2024. Higher acreage, improved yields from high-performing varieties, fertiliser distribution, and VAT-exempt agricultural inputs all contributed to the sector’s strong outturn.

However, the fishing industry contracted by 1.9 per cent, mainly due to a steep drop in shrimp production. Small shrimp output fell by 42.3 per cent to 5,486.1 tonnes, while prawn production declined by 58.6 per cent to 34 tonnes. Despite this, fish catches improved by 16.1 per cent.

Livestock production continued its upward trend, with the sub-sector growing by 11.7 per cent. Poultry meat production rose by 12.8 per cent, pork by 8.3 per cent, beef by 7.8 per cent and mutton by 7.0 per cent. Table eggs increased by 2.4 per cent, while milk production climbed by 5.2 per cent.

The “Other Crops” category also posted strong gains, growing by 7.4 per cent. Coconut production surged by 30.3 per cent, helped by increased acreage and the use of Brazilian Green Dwarf seedlings, alongside strong global demand. Beans and cereals rose by 28.9 per cent, root crops by 14.1 per cent, spices by 12.8 per cent, and vegetables by 6.9 per cent, supported by favourable weather. Cole crops, including cauliflower and broccoli, increased by 5.4 per cent. Fruit production grew by 10.1 per cent under similar conditions.

Within the subsector, cocoa stood out with a 42.8 per cent increase, driving an overall 8.6 per cent rise in the “Other Crops” subsector.

The forestry industry also strengthened, expanding by 6.2 per cent. Sawnwood production climbed by 18 per cent, while total log output grew by 2 per cent, supported by higher production of other species and a 2.8 per cent increase in greenheart logs. Roundwood production rose by 5.1 per cent. Firewood and charcoal output increased sharply, by 61.4 per cent and 19 per cent respectively, driven largely by high demand from the construction sector.

Overall, the Bank of Guyana’s report shows an agriculture and forestry sector that is regaining momentum, with strong performances in nearly every major category except shrimp and prawn production.