The 2021 sugar harvest season will begin on Monday but cane harvesting will commence from Wednesday.
Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir made this announcement yesterday, during a press conference held at the Wakefield Centre for Agricultural Research Project at Wakefield Plantation in St John.
The minister was accompanied by his permanent secretary Terry Bascombe and other sugar officials.
Based on industry projections, Weir announced that 5 200 tonnes of sugar and 13 000 tonnes of molasses would be produced from 107 000 tonnes of cane, with private farmers producing 70 000 tonnes.
He added that the sector may be able to yield 110 000 tonnes of cane because of the good rainfall within the past few months, as it was estimated that 17 tonnes of cane could be reaped from one acre.
Last year, 90 000 tonnes of cane produced 7 200 tonnes of sugar and 5 000 tonnes of molasses.
It takes about $3 500 to produce one tonne of sugar.
Steam trials slated to begin on Monday at Portvale and grinding should end in early June. (SB)
