GRDB earns US$99M from rice exports

The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has exported 242,812 tons of rice between January and May 2020 earning $99,000,000 USD.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, this is a 13% increase from the 215,330 tons valued at $87,000,000 USD for the corresponding period in 2019.

The statement quoted GRDB’s General Manager Nizam Hassan who explained that there has been an increase in the export of packaged rice, signalling a greater sale of value-added products.

“With regards to Packaged Parboiled Rice we exported 3,705 tons in 2019 compared to 5535 tons in 2020 and with regards to Packaged White Rice, which has really shown an astronomical jump, it has moved from 6,316 tons in 2019 to 47,484 tons in 2020.” Mr. Hassan said.

Rice production has been on a steady upward trajectory over the last few years.

It is expected that annual production will increase for the fourth consecutive year and reach 1.1 million tonnes, roughly 15% higher than the five-year average.