Management the cause of GuySuCo’s problems not weather

Dear Editor,

In his Report to the Nation for 2025, Mr. Paul Cheong stated that “the year 2025 was marked by both improved sugar production.”^[1] One is left to wonder what assessment will be offered for 2026.

Official GuySuCo records indicate that actual sugar produced at the end of September 2026 stood at 37,993 metric tonnes (MT);^[2] a considerable distance from the original target of 93,206 MT set at the start of the year. It is worth noting that industry professionals had advised, as early as a year ago, that this target was unlikely to be met, given the poor quality of canes in the field because of the lack of timely application of fertilizers, herbicides and weedicides. From all appearances, enough hectarage is planted, but the weight of the cane coming out from those fields is a real problem to support the realization of the original target of over 90,000 MT. On the books everything looks “hunky-dory”, but none of it pans out because of the lack of leadership in the Industry.

At the end of the first crop in June 2026, industry insiders had projected production of 58,137 MT. By the end of September 2026 — with only two months of meaningful production remaining — that figure had been revised downward to 54,575 MT. I would not be surprised if it is revised downward even more by December 2026 (see table below).

This raises a question that merits public attention: in the most favourable weather conditions for sugar production in the last three years occurring during this Second Crop of 2026, why is the productivity reducing rather than improving?

While similar favourable weather has boosted cane yields in neighbouring sugar-producing countries from Colombia to Guatemala to Belize, the Guyana’s circumstances appear to differ. This is not a weather problem; this is a leadership problem that GAWU refuse to bring to the attention of the nation as they join with the PPP is the most destructive cover-up ever, in the history of the sugar industry.

The Corporation has not been applying fertilizer and agro-chemicals to the cane plant on time for the last two years, as per the prescribed agricultural regime. It is understood that the Director of Agriculture Research resigned in frustration, as technical and scientific advice was not being heeded by the Office of the CEO. The professionals in the industry have alleged that they are being told that only President Ali and Mr. Cheong possess the necessary expertise, since “they have both been farmers for more than 10 years and they know best what is good for sugar”.

What has not been fully conveyed to the nation is the scientific consequence of withholding fertilizers, herbicides, and weedicides. The crop is affected at its most fundamental level: the plant’s ability to build biomass (weight), is disrupted, forcing it to compete with weeds for resources. The result is shorter, thinner stalks and lower tonnage per hectare.

The cane cutters appear to grasp this reality better than the doctoral graduates who are making the decisions for GuySuCo. It is one of the reasons they were striking in September 2026 — “lite canes.” On the protest line, they informed Mr. Azruddin Mohamed, the Leader of the Opposition, that a full day’s work now yields only 3 MT of cane, whereas in the past the same effort would sometimes produce double that weight.^[3]

It was Mr. Cheong himself who stated: “Strengthening land preparation and planting performance will therefore remain a critical priority because of their direct effect on future cane supply and productivity.” Yet land preparation work at the Estates has reportedly ceased since mid-September 2026. There is said to be a severe fuel shortage in the industry, as GuySuCo reportedly owes GUYOIL some $1.5 billion, with a cash-only system now in place pending the passage of a new Financial Paper in Parliament — expected sometime in October — to release another $7 billion for the Corporation. One might respectfully ask what the political opposition is doing about this recurring draw on the Treasury.

Finally, there is an urgent need for an independent investigation into the stock of canes in the field, as reports from the Estates appear inconsistent with actual conditions. Without canes, sugar cannot be counted upon. The year 2026 opened with a stock of standing canes of 1.1 million MT, which at the industry’s former average of 12 TCTS (tonnes cane to tonnes sugar) would have comfortably produced some 90,000 MT of sugar. Unfortunately, the current TCTS stands at 18, making even 60,000 MT difficult to achieve. This deterioration in tonnes of sugar produced from each tonne of cane is primarily due to the poor quality of canes delivered to the factory. Worse still, the average grind time per week at each factory is at an all-time low, with overall sugar recovery suffering from the constant starting and stopping of operations. All the factories are working half time because of a lack of constant supply of canes and the poor quality of the canes.

The question that must be asked — respectfully but firmly — is this: when will this silent plunder of the taxpayer’s coins come to an end? Secondly, where is the voice of GAWU on this destruction in the sugar industry as compared to their voice when Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan was doing the same thing under the Coalition Government?

References

1. “We stand on the brink of a new chapter” – GuySuCo’s CEO unveils 2025 plan - Guyana Times — guyanatimesgy.com ↩
2. GuySuCo target cut by almost 30% as state support rises to $16.4b - Kiskadee Watch — kiskadeewatch.com ↩
3. “Why are they so scared of me?” Mohamed after latest arrest | Guyana Standard — www.guyanastandard.com ↩