AGRICULTURE minister Roger Clarke said pessimistically yesterday that he does not expect the local sugar industry to meet its export target this year, an about face on the line previously carried by the state sugar agencies.

According to Clarke, he does not foresee the industry achieving the 185,000 tonnes of sugar for the export market.

Up until mid-February, the industry had produced only a mere one-eighth of its targeted output for export – 21,600 tonnes of 185,000 tonnes – since the grinding period began in December. A total of 58,000 tonnes were produced over the same period the previous year.

“I am of the firm belief that we will not be able to do as much as stated,” he told the Observer yesterday.

More than a week ago, Karl James, the general manager of Jamaica Cane Product Sales Limited, the company that markets all sugar and molasses produced locally, disclosed that sugar production was well behind schedule.

He was confident, however, that the industry would make up for the shortfall as the year progressed. Ambassador Derrick Heaven, head of the Sugar Industry Authority, had similarly expressed confidence in Jamaica meeting its quotas.

But yesterday, the agriculture minister said Hurricane Ivan had severely affected the cane crops.

“Ivan stultified the growth of the crop,” he said, noting that he will have a clearer view on the issue when the Sugar Industry Research Institute completes its estimate in another week.

Clarke noted however that four of the five sugar factories owned by the Sugar Company of Jamaica (SCJ) were now in operation, saying that the fifth would get started by mid-March.

“I got the assurance that Long Pond will be up and running in two to three weeks,” he told the Observer yesterday. Meantime, Frome, Moneymusk, Bernard Lodge and St

Thomas have all begun full production, he said.

Clarke’s confirmation of the expected shortfall in the production target follows Friday’s meeting with stakeholders in the sugar industry, called amidst a bitter row that was slowly erupting among cane farmers and the factories.

The farmers were angry at the late start of production and had threatened to lock down the Moneymusk, Long Pond and Frome factories. They were particularly concerned that the long delays would result in a deterioration of the canes and as such would be paid less for the crop.

Yesterday, however, Clarke said the issues originated from poor communication, but were now resolved.

He said as a solution, a decision was made for a monthly meeting to ensure better dissemination of information regarding the industry.

– martina@jamaicaobserver.com