(Barbados Nation) Barbados is set to record the worst sugar harvest in modern history next year.
With two months to go before the traditional start of the sugar harvest, those knowledgeable about the industry predict it is unlikely more than 12 000 tonnes of sugar will be produced, given the challenges the industry faces. And this is after an initial push last year to record the first increase in production for a number of years.
This year Barbados produced 15 745 tonnes of sugar from 159 606 tonnes of canes.
Yesterday, two industry veterans, agronomist Dr Frances Chandler and farmer Michael Pile, said the anticipated low yield would result from a reduction in the acreage of canes planted, widespread fires this year, a prolonged drought and late reaping of the last harvest.