KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) has reported an increase in sugar production in the region for the month of February when compared to the same period last year.

A release from the SAC revealed that the total production for February stood at 43,697 metric tonnes led by Belize with 22,465 tonnes, followed by Jamaica with 17,317 tonnes and Guyana with 3,915 tonnes. The other SAC member, Barbados was not in production during February.  Comparatively, the regional production for February 2016 was 29,690 tonnes.

For February, SAC members exported 2,341 tonnes of sugar to CARICOM and the European Union (EU).  For the current crop, to date, the region has exported 86,564 tonnes to the EU in bulk, 22,387 tonnes to the United States and 18,289 tonnes to CARICOM.  

Chairman of the SAC Karl James stated that the goal of supplying Caribbean markets while maintaining exports to the EU and the United States continues to be realised. “Since 2016, both Guyana and Belize have been shipping bagged sugar to the EU.  All three producers have been supplying sugar to the CARICOM, as planned,” said James.