Artemisa, Cuba - Sugar harvest in the province will be until next May 25 with the purpose of making the amount of sugar agreed for the current season, said Abdel Mohamed Rodríguez, director of the Analysis Department at Artemisa Sugar Company.

At present, both 30 de Novienbre sugar mill in San Cristóbal, and Harlem, in Bahía Honda grind although the delay caused by breaks in the last one at the beginning of the campaign, will prevent it from complying with the planned figure. "After March 14, Harlem sugar mill has had a steady milled, with an average of more than 60% of its potential norm and about 120 tons (t). However, the delay it in an unfavorable situation.

"We decided to extend the harvest until late May at both plants with the aim that the 30 de Noviembre manufactures the remaining sugar and the province meets the goal," the director said.

Mohamed said that 30 de Noviembre reaches 82% of the sugar production plan up for the date, with more than 37 000 t obtained. Until April 18 it was 92% compliance for the month and it had 8300 t left to do, "to continue with that rhythm will culminate his task between May 6 - 7." This industry raised the yield of the grind to 10.03, before a commitment assumed with the maximum direction of the country to reach 9.50, and it increased the production.

In the opinion of the manager, the initial breaks in both plants and the problems of cane supply in 30 de Noviembre, are the main difficulties faced in the current campaign. Irregularities in the railroad transportation of cane sugar from Yaguasita collection center, in Guanajay, to the central one have caused stops at night.

Regarding cane planting, Artemisa shows a positive outlook on overcoming the plan to date by six percent, an activity that will continue throughout the year.

TRANSLATION BY LMMS