Members of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) met virtually on 08 May 2023.
The Chairman of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC), Mr. R. Karl James presided over the meeting with full participation from the four sugar producing CARICOM member states. The Directors provided updates on the 2022-2023 crop and deliveries to the CARICOM/EU/UK and USA markets.
Intra-Regional Sugar Trade
Directors noted the increase in demand for regional brown sugar, and with the Monitoring Mechanism for Sugars established, SAC hopes that regional producers are guaranteed the opportunity to supply the regional market. Evidence currently supports that regional demand is being met completely by regional production. This augurs well for SAC members who currently can supply all the regional brown sugar needs. All four SAC members are supplying brown sugar to buyers in CARICOM.
Industries Plans
After several challenging years, primarily due to climate change issues, Guyana’s industry shows signs of a rebound and is on track to meet its production target this year. In the medium term, Guysuco’s plan is to maximise sugar production at 100,000 tonnes in 2024. Meanwhile in Belize, Belize Sugar Industries Ltd (BSI) continues to increase its annual sugar production, which is projected at 126, 00 tonnes in this crop year 2022-2023. Additionally, Barbados saw a small production increase and has now enhanced its product offering with an improved value-added, packaged sugar product to the US market, which traditionally bought bulk raw sugar for refining. This strong production growth and continued value added development form the basis for the region’s self-sufficiency in sugar and is proof positive of SAC’s contribution to regional food security.
SAC Future Work Plan
The Directors received an update on the Association’s proposed Work Plan. Key components of the plan are Green Energy Production, Carbon Credits and Markets, Food Security, Climate Resilience and Integrated Pest Management among other crossing cutting areas for sugar producing states, the regional agriculture sector and the wider CARICOM. Members are currently conducting internal consultations, country and company, with each member identifying priority areas for implementation. A special technical working group, with representation from each member, will meet later this month to finalize the plan and decide on next steps to operationalize the plan based the agreed focus areas.
Appointment of SAC Chairman
At its Annual General Meeting the Directors appointed Mr. Mac McLachlan Chairman of the Association for the remainder of 2022-23 financial year and 2023-24. Mr. McLachlan is Belize’ Director and Country Manager for Belize Sugar Industry Ltd. (BSI). At the same time, the Directors expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the outgoing Chairman, Mr. Roderick Karl James of Jamaica for his consistent and sterling contributions to the regional sugar industry.
SAC continues to work diligently to play an active part in the Regional Agricultural Sector Plan, which aims to reduce CARICOM’s food import bill by 25 percent by the year 2025. Additionally, SAC looks forward to working with the CARICOM Special Ministerial Task Force on Food Security.
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For further information, see our website: www.caribbean-sugar.org
Or please contact:
Mac McLachlan
Chairman, SAC
m +44 7785 682810
Email. mac.mclachlan@asr-group.com
William A. Neal
Communications, SAC
m +501 610-9774
Email. william.neal@asr-group.com