Guyana to export soya beans to Barbados for the first time – Pres Ali

Guyana is set to export soya beans to Barbados for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the country’s drive to expand agricultural production and strengthen regional food security.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali made the announcement during his address at the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce Annual Business Meeting Outlook 2026/2027 in Port of Spain, noting that the export is expected to commence within two weeks.

The president said the development signals Guyana’s rapid progress in building out large-scale agriculture, supported by targeted investments, infrastructure expansion, and strategic partnerships.

He explained that the opening up of the intermediate savannahs, coupled with improved road networks, is enabling increased production of key crops, including soya, tropical fruits, coffee, and cocoa.

“This is about creating a full ecosystem for production, value addition, and export,” President Ali stated.

The head of state also highlighted the growing connectivity between Guyana and northern Brazil, describing it as a major economic corridor that will unlock new markets, reduce transportation costs, and position Guyana as a key hub for regional trade.

Beyond agriculture, President Ali stressed the importance of addressing longstanding inefficiencies that hinder regional integration. He called on governments and private sector stakeholders to urgently address bottlenecks in customs, immigration, and transportation systems.

“We cannot speak about partnership and integration if we are not prepared to fix the basic problems,” he said.

The president pointed to ongoing efforts in Guyana to modernise systems through technology, including real-time monitoring of immigration processes to improve efficiency and accountability.

He also underscored the need for seamless regional travel, noting that current transit arrangements within the Caribbean remain cumbersome and undermine efforts to deepen economic cooperation.

President Ali further outlined opportunities arising from Guyana’s expanding infrastructure, including major investments in energy, industrial development, and logistics that will support manufacturing and trade.

He encouraged Caribbean businesses to adopt consortium-based investment models, allowing for greater scale and competitiveness in global markets.

“The future requires partnership, scale, and the willingness to act decisively,” he emphasised.