Drought affecting regional sugar production

The Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) is reporting that drought conditions are having an adverse effect on the majority of regional sugar producers. However, it is still optimistic that production of the current crop will be completed by the end of July. According to SAC, during May, all Caribbean sugar producers were in production, with Belize topping the list with 23,628 tonnes followed by Guyana with 15,178 tonnes, Jamaica with 10,198 tonnes and Barbados 5,673 tonnes.

The year-to-date sugar production up to the end of May stood at 337,116 tonnes, with Guyana (134,008 tonnes) leading the way, followed by Belize (126,647 tonnes), Jamaica (68,714 tonnes) and Barbados (7,747 tonnes).

"Up to the end of May 2018, for the current crop our regional producers have exported just over 192,000 metric tonnes, with the majority going to the European Union followed by the United States and CARICOM. The focus on exports remains strong," noted Karl James, chairman of the SAC.

The Sugar Association of the Caribbean comprises the Barbados Agricultural Management Company, Belize Sugar Industries Limited, Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. and the Sugar Manufacturing Corporation of Jamaica Limited.