John Myers Jr., Agriculture Coordinator
THE DISRUPTION in the island's sugar production could affect commitments to supply just over 19,000 tonnes of sugar to the United States.
Agriculture and Land Minister Roger Clarke said everything was being done to meet the quota to the European Union, however, the quota for the U.S. might not be met due to the disruptions. "I don't think we are going to be able to fulfil all the quotas, but we are trying hard to supply our EU quota," Mr. Clarke told Farmers Weekly. "This latest occurrence has not helped but we will be doing better than last year for sure," he added.
Karl James, general manager of Jamaica Cane Product Sales, however said we had until September to fulfil the quota for the U.S., hence we could produce enough sugar by then if the affected estates extend their production times. "We will just watch and see the actual production at the end of the crop to determine how much we would be able to supply for the U.S.," he said. He said 5,000 tonnes have already been shipped out of the quota.
In the meantime Mr. James assured that there was enough sugar in store to meet our shipment to the EU this weekend. "We have enough sugar produced and in store for the next vessel which is coming up on Friday (so) we start loading on Saturday morning all being well and finish by Tuesday or Wednesday," he said.
ENOUGH SUGAR FOR NEXT SHIPMENT
Mr. James was also confident that there would be enough sugar in store for the next shipment to the EU in May. "The interruption at Frome was for a short time but the interruption at St. Thomas (Duckenfield) was longer. (However) they can recover by extending production time," he surmised.
The Agriculture and Land Minister, who now has full portfolio responsibility for the sugar industry, said a review of the management of the Sugar Company of Jamaica (SCJ) is to be done. "I can't say that is the focus right now but in due course we will make sure that we put a construct in place that emphasises productivity and efficiency," Mr. Clarke said.
Mr. James said he supported a review of the SCJ's management. "I think that is something that they have to look at...how we have been performing in the last three or so years has to be examined," he stated. "Why is it that we can't make 200,000 tonnes when before 1998 we were doing that regularly? Why is it that we can't make it now and we are in the same country with the same people?" he commented further. He added that financing for the industry is another area that needs to be examined.
