Sugar shortage hit soft drink companies

Various confectionery companies around the country are now dealing with the repercussions of decreased output from Caroni 1975 Limited.

The shortfall in output is due to mechanical failures and high levels of worker absenteeism at Caroni. According to Hayden Charles, Manager at Joseph Charles Bottling Works Limited ( Solo Beverages), Caroni was unable to provide the necessary 150 tonnes of sugar to the company. As a result, the company has been unable to meet its export orders and was forced to lay-off numerous employees.

Other firms threatened by the shortage include S M Jaleel, KC Confectionery and Caribbean Bottlers.  Caribbean Bottlers has obtained a licence to import sugar from abroad, and other companies are considering doing the same. However, the imported sugar would take two to three weeks to reach Trinidad. Minister of Trade and Industry Ken Valley said that Government had anticipated the shortage and has put appropriate measures in place. He added that companies interested in obtaining an import licence for sugar would receive the licence on the same day it is applied for. Supermarket managers throughout the country including TruValu, Back to Basics, and FHS claim that they have not been affected in any way.