7 News Belize

Sugar Quotas Being Cut Back For Some
posted (May 15, 2015)
Though it seems like it just started the others day, the sugar harvest, or "la zafra" is coming to an end soon - within 7 or 8 weeks - that is if the heavy rains are late. And with just that small window of opportunity - the Sugar Cane Production Committee met on Wedensday and decided to re-apportion and cut back quotas.

This is based on a field study conducted by SIRDI which lowered the estimate for cane in the fields from 1.45 tonnes to 1.27 tonnes. From there, they adjusted the allocations - or the daily quota - given to each branch - and this goes into effect on Monday.

BSI - which has a seat on the SCPC - supports the decision - and financial controller Belizario Carballo told CTV-3 that it is a rational and required re-ordering of the allocations:..

Belizario Carballo
"It also indicated where the cane is. So, it didn't just come up with a total figure. It also gave an indication by area of where the cane is and on the bases of that information it recommended to the Sugar Cane Production Company what adjustments would be necessary to the production estimate. So, it's not really a reduction as its being highlighted. It's really an adjustment to reflect where the cane is and the whole idea is to give farmers who have cane a proportionate opportunity to deliver that cane. All these actions are linked to ensure that those who have cane are given the production estimate otherwise what will happen is what happen last end of crop that you have groups that have production estimate remaining don't have cane and they start bringing in young cane or what you call immature cane."

But, critics in the industry say BSI is ok with it because they got their quota bumped up while others got downgrades. And because the field sampling method used was developed by BSI.

The San Lazaro Branch sent an angry letter to the SCPC yesterday saying they got 29 thousand tonnes taken off their quota while BSI ASR was granted an increase. The statement concludes, quote, "this is absolutely contrary to the legitimate sugar branches who all received a reduction."

Carballo says 200 of the 300 grower groups got an increase. The changes go into effect on Monday.

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