The government has budgeted $745 million in 2026 to advance the development of agro-processing facilities across Guyana, including the construction of an agro-processing port facility at Parika, East Bank Essequibo and a fruit pulping hub in Lethem, Region Nine, according to Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, who presented the 2026 National Budget to the National Assembly on Monday.
Dr Singh highlighted that over the past five years, the government established 15 agro-processing and 10 cold storage facilities nationwide, aiming to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance export readiness.
In 2025, an agri-business hub was set up in Bartica, 25 Guyana Shop corners were opened locally and one in Barbados, and 373 agro-processors were trained in packaging and labelling techniques. Works also advanced on the Regional Food Hub at Yarrowkabra, which is expected to be completed in 2026.
In addition to the new facilities at Parika and Lethem, existing agro-processing units across the country will be upgraded, and the government will continue to train agro-processors and promote local products.
Dr Singh noted that in 2025, $800 million was spent to support the sector, underscoring the government’s ongoing commitment to expanding agro-processing and improving Guyana’s agricultural value chain.