- Minister Mustapha says Guyana projected to produce 30,000 gallons of honey in 2025
The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) hosted its second annual Honey Fest under the theme “Buzz Forward – Sweet Innovations for a Safe and Sustainable Future.” The event, held at the agency’s Mon Repos main office, showcased the remarkable transformation and growth within Guyana’s apiculture industry, highlighting innovation, sustainability, and value addition.
Delivering the feature address, Agriculture Minister, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, said the event’s theme captures the essence of the ongoing evolution in Guyana’s agriculture sector.
“This theme, ‘Buzz Forward – Sweet Innovations for a Safe and Sustainable Future,’perfectly captures the spirit of transformation that defines Guyana’s agriculture sector, one that is driven by innovation, safety, sustainability, and partnership,” the Minister said.
Highlighting the government’s investments in the apiculture subsector, Minister Mustapha noted the rapid increase in honey production, demonstrating the success of ongoing modernization efforts.
“We see beekeeping not just as a traditional craft but as a modern, high-potential agribusiness. Over the past few years, the Government has made significant investments and policy interventions to advance our agri-food systems and diversify production within the apiculture sub-sector. We are already making significant strides, with honey production increasing from 2,128 gallons in 2023 to 27,601 gallons at the end of 2024. In 2025, we are projected to produce over 30,000 gallons,” Minister Mustapha stated.
He added that the GLDA is working to expand the number of active hives to over 5,000 as Guyana aims to achieve self-sufficiency and become a regional honey exporter by 2030.
“The GLDA has been leading the charge in providing training on modern techniques, disease control, and improved hive management to increase yield and efficiency. Technical support is being provided to build the capacity of beekeepers, enhance productivity, and promote value addition as we look towards creating a future that is not only about raw honey but also value-added products like beeswax, royal jelly, propolis, and specialty honey flavors derived from our diverse floral landscape. This is how we will maximize profits and create new economic opportunities,” the Minister explained.
Minister Mustapha also underscored the importance of quality assurance in building the Guyanese honey brand.
“If we are serious about exporting Guyanese honey and establishing its brand regionally and internationally, we must guarantee its quality. This is where the Guyana Food Safety Authority’s (GFSA) work is paramount. The GFSA has strengthened our food safety framework, particularly through legislation, to ensure that our honey meets national and international standards, thereby increasing our export potential. Systems are being put in place to ensure standardization through proper labelling, packaging, and handling protocols from the apiary to the market shelf. We are committed to helping all beekeepers formalize their operations to meet these standards, turning food safety compliance into a competitive advantage,” he noted.
Minister Mustapha commended the continued growth of the sector, revealing that the number of registered beekeepers and apiculturists increased from 160 in 2024 to 213 in 2025, representing a 33% rise.
The Honey Fest 2025 brought together beekeepers, agro-processors, and other stakeholders to showcase locally produced honey and honey-based products. The event reinforced the government’s commitment to advancing sustainable apiculture as part of Guyana’s broader agricultural diversification and food security strategy.
