SUGAR TO GAIN FOREIGN EXCHANGE

THE EXTENT of foreign earnings with the export of sugar based on the 2004 sugar cane crop is estimated to be  TT$165,000,000  (US$27,500,000) according   to Prem Nandlal, chairman of the Sugar Manufacturing  Company Ltd (SMCL). The SMCL is the group appointed by Government with the sole mandate of producing sugar only with the purchase of farmers’ cane, from the 6,500 farmers existing in the country, Nandlal said that around 55,000 tonnes of sugar would be exported to the European Market and the USA earning approximately  TT $3,000  per tonne, therefore, the  amount to be gained by Trinidad and Tobago in TT dollars would be in the vicinity of $165,000,000.

Nandlal told Newsday that the crop would be formally commissioned tomorrow, when cane from lands formerly owned by Caroni (1975) Ltd would be reaped by owners of mechanical harvesters who have been contracted to cut cane after which transport arrangements have been finalised to get the raw product  to the Usine Ste Madeleine Factory — the only one that would be in operation for the 2004 crop. When the cane arrives at the factory it would then be taken over by the SMCL to be milled and ground into sugar. One week later on January 15, after the sugar mills have been given a proper run, and management is satisfied that everything is working smoothly, the crop will get into top gear “as we are more than convinced that the machinery is properly oiled to function without  any major breakdown so that the 75,000 tonnes of sugar would be pursued with vigour to fulfil our international obligations,” Nandlal said.

In the meantime, Nandlal is appealing to the various farmers’ associations in the country “to get your  act together and ensure that we are supplied with cane to reach our target and forget the in-fighting that is taking place in your own interest and for the welfare of the country as a whole.” Nandlal said that the quality system of purchasing cane has been shelved for the present season as the method to ensure that it would work had not been completed on time. “Cane would be purchased through the weighing system by scales to be managed by farmers’ associations who have been contacted by  Virgo Consultants Ltd (VCL) — the group appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture, to oversee the crop,” Nandlal explained. He said that bulk sugar was being bought from Guyana to be refined in Trinidad and Tobago and this would supply the local market, especially the large firms that need the item to produce soft drinks, candy and cakes. Nandlal said further that a total of 750,000 tonnes of cane would be needed to produce the 75,000 tonnes of sugar, but since the farmers could only supply 600,000 tonnes of cane, the remaining amount (150,000 tonnes)  would be reaped from lands owned by the former Caroni (1975) which have already been identified by a group of consultants, among whom is the former acting CEO of Caroni, William Washington.