Agriculture in Suriname

[3] Only 0.4 percent of Suriname's total land area is cultivable, with half of this devoted to rice production, which makes up around 10 percent of Suriname's total exports, with 180,000 tons produced in 1999.

Suriname also produces palm kernels, coconuts, sugar, plantains, peanuts, beef, chicken and shrimp.

[4] In the 18th century the production of coffee was of major importance under the Dutch colony but has gradually declined.

Under union pressure, the government in early 1987 agreed to a national sugar plan to make production more efficient, and to create employment.

[4] Fishing, especially for shellfish, is also important with wild-harvest shrimp accounting for US$29 million, or 6.7 percent of all exports in 1998 and the fishing industry overall creating annual revenues worth US$40–50 million.