Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Europe wants 32,000 litres of Guyana’s coconut water weekly
The byproducts of coconut are taking a strong stand in Guyana’s exports, with a European group proposing that Guyana supply them with 32,000 litres of coconut water on a weekly basis, for the purpose of supplying supermarkets there.
This was disclosed by Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy during a press conference held at his Regent Street, Georgetown office recently.
Bottled coconut water and coconut wine produced by Phoenix Enterprises (GINA PHOTO)
Dr. Ramsammy stressed that this is a huge opportunity for local coconut farmers, pointing out that it would also contribute to the overall growth of the sector, especially since it was made clear that this initial order could see an increase.
Minister Ramsammy said that what is even more beneficial to local farmers and agro-processors is the fact that the group does not want the coconut water supplied in tankers, but wants it to be bottled in Guyana.
Phoenix Enterprises Guyana, which is run by Bernice Trotz and family, has been the pioneer of bottled water locally.
The company has been involved in bottling and selling coconut water since 2004. In 2006, their business evolved to include the production of coconut wine which has a base of coconut water.
Dr. Ramsammy noted that the coconut industry is now on resurgence in the Caribbean because of the huge demand of particularly the extra virgin coconut oil.
In Guyana, the Minister pointed out that as of recent, coconut water has been surpassing the demand of regular coconut oil on the international market.
“As you know, the industry was killed by scientists who said that coconut oil was bad for your health when the industry was mainly depending on the production of oil,” Dr. Ramsammy said.
Even before scientists discovered what they thought they knew was good about coconut oil, Guyanese foreparents had been cooking with the product for decades. They somewhat relented on this practice following reports from foreign scientists highlighting that coconut oil was bad for health.
Another set of researchers recently disproved that theory.
The humble coconut is now a darling of the natural-foods world, dominating Guyana’s agricultural exports in 2012.
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said that the coconut industry has a huge potential for further development in the sector.
In 2011, the coconut industry earned hundreds of millions of dollars, producing over 92 million nuts annually. Coconut is the third leading export product behind sugar and rice. Guyana’s coconut has one of the thickest kernels in the world, Dr. Ramsammy noted.
It is now known that coconut oil possesses saturated fat, but one that is unique, healthy and different from most other fats.
Coconut oil can not only be used to prepare food, but it is also used in the process of making medicine. It was even described as “the healthiest oil on earth”.
Some products that are made locally using the various components of coconut include roofing tiles made from the husk, extra virgin coconut oil, coconut based wine, coconut butter, coconut flakes, ornaments, jewelry, and kitchen utensils.
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