KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) says that despite being affected by drought conditions it is optimistic that production of the current sugar crop will be completed by the end of July 2018.

SAC, in a release today said drought conditions were having an adverse impact on the majority of regional sugar producers, however all Caribbean countries under the association managed to produce for the month of May.  

The SAC said it made the observation from the month’s production figures.

The association said during the month of 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 2018 stood at 337,116 tonnes, 

Of that figure Guyana (134,008 tonnes) leads 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,” said Chairman of the SAC, Karl James. 

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