Agriculture and mining are Guyana's most important economic
activities, with sugar, bauxite, rice and gold accounting for 75-80% of
export earnings. Ocean shrimp accounted for another 15% in 1990, but declining
catches reduced shrimp exports to 7% in 1991 and 4% on 1992. Other exports
include timber, diamonds, garments, and locally assembled stoves and refrigerators.
The value of these other exports increased from $11 million in 1990 to
$59 million in 1992.
The government-owned sugar corporation, GUYSUCO, controls
all sugar manufacturing operations as well as the marketing of raw sugar.
With more than 23,000 direct employees, the sugar industry is the largest
employer in Guyana. Most of Guyana's sugar goes to fill special sugar
quotas granted by the European Community and the United States. Exports
increased from $63 million in 1990 to $133 million in 1992.
