Guyana eyes coconut water brand

The Agriculture Ministry is looking to establish a Guyanese brand of coconut water recognised by the Food and Agriculture

Organisation (FAO) as a health drink.

According to Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Guyana is presently working with the FAO, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the governments of Brazil and Mexico to develop the coconut industry, which utilises the third largest acreage of cultivated land after rice and sugar.

Training programme

Noting Mexico’s success in the area, Minister Ramsammy stated that Guyana is presently concluding arrangements with IICA to send a Guyanese professional to that country to undergo a two-month training programme in all aspects of the coconut industry.

He noted that in the streamlining of the coconut industry, there is the possibility of developing virgin coconut oil for export and using shells to develop energy so that there is no wastage.

In this regard, a coconut exposition has been planned to further promote the commodity locally. The inaugural Coconut Exposition hosted by the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (New GMC), brings together agencies and departments within the Agriculture Ministry, as well as other stakeholders, to promote products and services in the coconut industry.

The expo sees participation from agencies such as the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), the Craft Producers Association, and coconut farmers.

It was noted that the objective is to create greater awareness and promote the market opportunities that exist for coconut and coconut products.

Some of the products that will be on display includes extra virgin coconut oil, coconut water, canned coconut cream and milk, coconut craft, wine and coconut dishes among others.

The coconut industry in Guyana has been identified as one of the sectors with huge potential for further development. Coconut delivers a very wide variety of products, including coconut water, coconut oil, coconut milk and dried coconut, which are all in demand regionally and internationally.

Guyana, at the beginning of this year had produced between 90 and 100 million coconuts per year, which approximates to some 70,000 tonnes and the world export market for coconut products, is about US$ 6 billion, while Guyana exports nearly US$ 3 million in coconut products.