Guyana is exploring new export markets for its rice after the country produced 532,000 tons of rice in 2013, about 119,000 tons or 29% more than the targeted 413,000 tons, according to local sources. Guyana has few export partners and exports around 110,000 tons of milled rice and 80,000 tons of paddy rice every year to Venezuela under its compulsory export quota.

However, Guyana is still left with over 100,000 tons of surplus rice, according to the General Secretary of Guyana's Rice Producers Association (RPA). Guyana’s Agriculture Minister says that the government wants to expand its export destinations to Haiti, Brazil, Belize, Guatemala, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and some European countries. The Caribbean countries and Venezuela currently import rice from other countries besides Guyana, and there is an opportunity to secure greater shares in these markets, the minister says. He adds that while the government is in talks with several countries to secure new export agreements, it is also encouraging private sector to undertake exports.

Meanwhile, private traders in Guyana have struck a deal with Haiti to export 50,000 tons with the first shipment due in this week. In addition to this, the government is planning to export 100,000 tons of rice to Haiti this year, and may soon finalize a deal to export around 50,000 tons of rice to Haiti through the public sector. The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), which markets Guyana's rice overseas, is persuading Belize to buy Guyana's rice, according to local sources. Guyana's rice production increased by 25% to 532,000 tons in 2013 from about 425,000 tons in 2012, according to the Agriculture Minister. 

However, the USDA estimates the country to produce 470,000 tons in the MY 2013-14 and export about 345,000 tons. The country's consumption needs during the year are estimated at 130,000 tons. -

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