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Sugar industry preparing to produce refined white sugar

In the wake of the furore over the importation of refined sugar, General Manager of Jamaica Cane Products Sales, Karl James, says the industry is getting ready to produce the sweetener locally.

Since last year, Jamaica's demand for brown sugar, which stands at 54,000 tones annually, has been supplied by local producers.

James says imported refined white sugar is now the next target for the industry.

“Between Pan Caribbean and ourselves we are supplying the domestic market with all that we require that’s why were are hoping that before too long we can get into refined sugar so that the 70,000 tones imported can also be produced here also supply some of the CARICOM market."

The sugar industry and manufacturers have been in a standoff over the imposition of a cess on refined sugar.

It has led at least one manufacturer suggesting that he could move his operation to Trinidad and Tobago, but Chairman of Jamaica Cane Products Sales, Ambassador Derrick Heaven, says the welcome might not be cordial.

Heaven also said refined sugar is not the only area of diversification.

“When you go to some sugar factories elsewhere, they are selling electricity, they are doing all sorts of things. In the short run there are opportunities that twist that we have to exploit immediately in terms of markets.

Director of Jamaica Cane Products Sales, Allan Rickards said there are new markets, which Jamaica can exploit for its sugar.

“Making further inroads into the CARICOM market and how we can get into Haiti’s market. There are other niche markets that have been knocking on the door for sometime but which require bagging and packaging to an extent that is not now being done.”



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