Addressing the Labour Shortage in the Sugar Industry

Dear Editor,

Permit me to share my thoughts on a growing challenge that The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), like many agricultural entities around the world, is facing: a shrinking labour force especially in the sugarcane harvesting sector. Over the past five years, GuySuCo has recorded a steady decline in the number of harvesters reporting to the fields, a trend that has serious implications for productivity. Simply put, fewer workers in the fields mean fewer canes to the factory and, ultimately, lower production.

In the 1st Crop of 2022, 2147 harvesters were on roll with 55% attendance- an average of 1,181 working daily. By the 1st Crop of 2025, though 1,990 harvesters were registered, attendance dropped to 50%, with just 995 workers turning out. This downward trend in field turnout reflects a deeper shift in Guyana’s labour market, not one caused by poor wages, but by a wider transformation in the country’s economy.

It is important to understand that this phenomenon is not peculiar to GuySuCo, nor is it isolated to the sugar sector. Across Guyana, employers in construction, hospitality, agriculture, retail, and even government are grappling with workforce shortages. This is a reflection of the broader economic transformation currently taking place in the country. As Guyana continues to experience rapid development and expanded opportunities, especially due to the growing oil and gas sector, the labour landscape has shifted significantly.

This trend isn’t unique to us. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), labour shortages in agriculture have become a global issue. In both developed and developing countries, rural outmigration, aging populations, and changing employment preferences have contributed to a sharp decline in available farm labour. A 2023 FAO report notes that countries from India to Brazil and from Thailand to South Africa are reporting critical gaps in harvesting labour, especially for crops like sugarcane that are labour-intensive and seasonal in nature.

Against this backdrop, it is important to address a common misconception that wages are the main reason workers are not taking up harvesting jobs. In fact, Guyana is among the highest paying countries for sugarcane harvesters. At GuySuCo, cane harvesters average earning ranges from US$19 to US$25 per day. This is higher than daily wages for similar work in many sugar-producing countries, including India and parts of Latin America. For example, FAO data indicates that average wages for sugarcane harvesters in India fall between US$4 and US$7 per day, while in Brazil, one of the world’s largest producers, the average ranges from US$12 to US$25 per day depending on region and experience.

Therefore, the issue isn’t one of compensation, but rather availability and interest. The demand for labour in Guyana has increased across all sectors, and younger generations are increasingly opting for jobs outside of traditional field work. Many are pursuing education and training in new industries, and others are seeking opportunities in urban and offshore employment.

This new reality requires us to think differently. While GuySuCo continues to support and value its human workforce, we are also advancing our mechanization program to ease dependency on manual labour. The introduction of harvesting machines and other technologies can help us mitigate the impact of low field turnout and ensure that we maintain consistent cane supply to our factories.

We recognize that sugar remains a vital part of Guyana’s heritage and economy. But to sustain this industry, we must embrace both the challenges and the opportunities presented by today’s labour realities. The path forward lies in adapting through technology, efficiency, and closer collaboration with workers, communities, and stakeholders.

Yours truly,
Paul Cheong
Chief Executive Officer
Guyana Sugar Corporation