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FROM
CUBA
Sugar cane harvest will not achieve goals,
says expert
HAVANA, May 12 (Ariel Delgado Covarrubias
/ www.cubanet.org) - The expected growth
in sugar production will not be achieved
this coming year, said a sugar specialist
who asked to remain unnamed.
Production figures last year were 2,125,000
tons, the lowest in the last sixty years.
For this year, the objective was to achieve
discrete growth with better economic and
productive indices.
"Really, the plan will not be fulfilled,"
said the specialist. "Some factors
have conspired against it, primarily the
drought in the eastern provinces. Santiago
de Cuba, which for years has been a top
producer, is well below par this year."
"After restructuring, the best lands
were kept in production, most with irrigation,
but in the eastern provinces they have not
been able to use the irrigation because
of low water levels."
"Breakdowns in the sugar mills have
also been a problem. It's old technology,
and the repair period was plagued with problems,
mainly in the supply of spare parts. Every
time a mill stops due to a breakdown, there
are start-up costs that have to be assumed."
The expert predicted a total harvest of
2,400,000 tons, more or less.
"Everything will depend on May, but
the plan will not be met," he said.
Versión
original en español
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