The Editor, Sir:

The price of sugar has escalated on the world market and is causing serious concerns for producers in the industry and manufacturers of sugar products.

This rise in sugar prices has affected industries that manufacture canned fruits, soft drinks, desserts, sweet sauce, pastries and other sugary products. The leading sugar producers are Brazil, India, Europe, China, Thailand, United States and Mexico. It is believed that drought in India has contributed to the increase in sugar prices because this country is the world's biggest sugar consumer. The current world increase in sugar prices demonstrates that Jamaica needs to re-examine its sugar industry which many have neglected and ignored because of hasty declarations and misjudgement. The public and private sectors need to look at reviving the sugar industry because it can play a significant role in revitalising the challenged Jamaican economy.

Positive impact

Reviving and maintaining the sugar industry will result in positive impact for the nation. The outcomes include:

The employment of a large number of people. This will have a positive impact in creating employment for the growing number of individuals who lack earning potential in the Jamaican society.

The possibility of getting foreign exchange by selling the sugar to CARICOM and countries within Latin America.

The utilisation of local sugar that reduces the need for importation and decreases foreign exchange expenditure in this area.

Based upon statistics on sugar production, global consumption has increased by two per cent per annum in 2007/2008 and this trend continues in 2008/2009. Major sugar producers have increased their output resulting in an increase in global export availability. This current situation indicates that if the industry in Jamaica is managed effectively, it can contribute significantly to the challenged economy. Jamaica has good environmental conditions for growing sugar cane and technical experts exist which can make the industry viable.

At this time of global financial crisis, a technical and managerial team of 14-16 should be distributed in the sugar establishments to prevent deterioration of the industry and to ensure maximum production for the next reaping season.

Decreasing production costs

Jamaica needs to focus on strengthening surveillance and protection of fields and factories. The efficiency of the process in refining the product should be examined and improved by technocrats. These measures would help to decrease production costs which impact negatively on consumers. Jamaica must rise to the task of streamlining itself so that the country can benefit from the rising price on the world market. In this time of crisis, the country needs to implement innovative measures to make this locally grown product beneficial to the Jamaican people.

The public and private sectors need to empower a team to look at the value added products from sugar. Speculations have been made about ethanol and molasses production and the use of the trash from the processing of sugar cane. In-depth studies need to be done on the by-products and clear directions needs to be articulated on how these products will benefit the nation.

The new thrust for sugar production and management will contribute significantly in boosting productivity and maintaining stability in this challenged Jamaican economy.

I am, etc.,

Dr PAUL GYLES

College of Natural and Applied Sciences

Northern Caribbean University

Manchester