The Minister advised that Guyana currently sells rice to 50 countries around the world, and too much of an issue is now being made out of the collapse of the Venezuelan market.

“As a matter of fact, currently, the Portugal market is as big as the Venezuelan market, about 30 percent or so, I think too much of a big thing is being made out of the lapse in the Venezuelan market,” the Minister commented.

Currently, the Government is pursuing the Panama market, as “I have even had discussions with the Minister, during the Mexico meeting, so we are pursuing that, we are looking at new markets, it is an ongoing situation, we are even discussing with the Bahamas, they have an interest as well, and Haiti, we are looking at it as well.”

Recently, President David Granger had announced that the government will be stepping up its efforts in finding markets for Guyana’s rice as he lobbied the international community on his various overseas engagements.

“I am looking for markets for rice…the main focus of Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry is for economic diplomacy,  I want to sell rice, I want to sell rum, I want to sell plantain chips, I want to sell stuff. We want the industry to survive and to prosper,” President Granger said.

 Minister Holder had also stated at a press conference he held to address the issue in early October that Guyana was successful in securing an increased market arrangement with Panama, for which shipment has begun. The shipment has been increased from 4000 to 7,200 tonnes.

The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) continues to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in securing additional international markets for Guyana’s rice.