GuySuCo may surpass second crop production target

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is on track to achieving its production target for the second crop this year and possibly exceeding it, according to its Corporate Communications Manager Audreyanna Thomas.

According to data provided by Thomas, GuySuCo has produced almost 89% of its 68,045-tonne target, with production at a total of 60,550 tonnes from the Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt estates.

The targets for the Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt Estates are 38,160 tonnes, 19,105 tonnes and 10,780 tonnes, respectively.

The production so far for the second crop puts the total production for the year at 95,002 tonnes. This year’s target is 103,000 tonnes.

Thomas related that as it stands GuySuCo is on course to achieve its target given that it has also had a satisfactory worker attendance record.

“The corporation is confident that the target for 2018 of 103,000 tonnes of sugar will be achieved and possibly be surpassed. While the attendance at all three estates could be improved, commitment shown by the management and staff on the Estates is commendable,” Thomas said.

For the second crop, the Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt estates have attendance records of 64.3%, 66% and 58.7%, respectively, accounting for an average of 61.6%.

Thomas also noted that for the second crop, the three estates have collectively met 20 weekly production targets, which translates to 20 additional days’ pay or Weekly Productive Incentive.

She also pointed out that sugar is still being exported to the United States of America, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Grenada, Cayman Islands, St. Lucia and Tortola.The sugar company had only produced 34,450 tonnes from a target of 36,150 tonnes for the first crop this year.

According to figures that were provided by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the three functioning estates fell short of their target by 1,655 tonnes of sugar. While the Albion and Blairmont estates did not achieve their targets, the Uitvlugt Estate surpassed its goal.

According to the data, the Albion Estate’s target for the first crop was set at 19,698 tonnes but it was only able produce 18,232 tonnes, despite working one week over its schedule. The Blairmont Estate’s target was set at 9,736 tonnes but it was only able to produce 9,121 tonnes, despite working three weeks beyond its schedule.