White sugar refinery to strengthen manufacturing sector

Guyana is advancing its manufacturing sector, and part of the wider plan will see the establishment of a processing facility for refined white sugar in Region Three, President Dr Irfaan Ali said.

White sugar is a key ingredient in baking and confectionery, used to sweeten cakes, cookies, and desserts. It is commonly added to beverages like tea, coffee, and soft drinks to enhance flavour. White sugar is also used in food preservation, helping to extend the shelf life of jams, sauces, and canned fruits.

“We expanded sugar… In two weeks, we will have a project launched in Guyana with a private sector entity that is going to produce refined sugar—a facility for 175,000 tonnes of refined sugar. White sugar – [a] private sector investment,” President Ali announced during a recent engagement with Region Three residents.

This initiative aligns with the government’s efforts to enhance the viability of the sugar sector, which requires significant investment.

The government remains confident that within the next two years, Guyana will be in a position to meet the full sugar requirements of the entire region.

The Enmore Sugar Estate is also being transformed to help meet this demand. According to President Ali, the private sector is expected to play an active role in driving the sector forward.

Between 2020 and 2024, the government invested approximately $45 billion in the sugar industry to revitalise the sector and integrate it into the country’s broader development plans.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) produced 6,738 tonnes of sugar during its first crop of 2024, falling short of the initial target of 16,000 tonnes. In total, less than 50,000 tonnes of sugar were produced in 2024. The projection for 2025 stands at over 100,000 tonnes.