Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips on Tuesday underscored the critical link between Guyana’s sugar and the rum industry, warning that the country cannot continue producing world-class rum without sustaining sugar production.
The prime minister made the remarks while delivering the feature address at the launch of Demerara Distillers Limited’s El Dorado 60th Anniversary Special Reserve Rum, created to commemorate Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Phillips described rum as an integral part of Guyana’s heritage and culture.
He noted that the industry has deep historical ties to sugar production through molasses, the key ingredient in rum manufacturing.
“You cannot have rum without molasses. You cannot have molasses without sugar,” the prime minister stated.
He said discussions surrounding the future of the sugar industry must also take into account the wider economic and cultural implications for the rum sector, which supports thousands of jobs and contributes significantly to foreign exchange earnings.
“Rum is an important export earner for our country,” he noted.
The prime minister said Guyana’s rum industry is more than just a commercial enterprise.
He described it as a heritage industry that carries “the taste of our soil, the memory of our plantations, and the skill of generations.”
He praised DDL for using the country’s 60th Independence Anniversary to launch a commemorative premium rum. He said the initiative reflects the company’s deep connection to Guyana’s national milestones and identity.
According to Prime Minister Phillips, El Dorado Rum has evolved into a globally respected and award-winning brand that continues to elevate Guyana’s reputation internationally.
“I will compare it to the Guyanese passport because wherever this rum goes in the world, it opens doors, commands respect, and reminds everyone that something small can be world-class,” he stated.
The prime minister also highlighted the contribution of the company’s master blenders and distillers, whom he described as among the finest in the Caribbean.
He noted that Guyana’s rum industry has faced significant challenges in recent years due to fluctuations in global demand, reduced consumer spending in export markets, and changing trends within the international spirits market.
Statistics shared by the Prime Minister showed that Guyana’s rum and spirits exports grew from US$37 million in 2016 to a peak of US$61.7 million in 2022 before declining to US$24.2 million in 2025.
He said the industry has also been affected by economic measures and tariff policies in the United States that place imported rum products at a disadvantage against subsidised local brands.
Despite those challenges, Prime Minister Phillips commended DDL for its strategic shift from bulk rum exports to premium branded products, noting that the company’s foresight allowed Guyana to penetrate the premium global rum market.
“You saw that the future was not in selling rum by the tanker, but by the bottle,” he said.
Prime Minister Phillips urged Guyanese at home and abroad to support local products, emphasising that purchasing Guyanese rum helps to preserve a key heritage industry, protect jobs and sustain economic growth.
He described the El Dorado 60th Anniversary Special Reserve Rum as “liquid independence,” symbolising 60 years of resilience, excellence and national pride.