The Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) has taken note of the joint press statement released by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) regarding the Corporation’s alleged 35% production shortfall for the 2nd Crop 2019. Firstly, the Corporation is disappointed that the Unions did not take the time to apprise themselves of the real situation regarding the production status at the material time and the circumstances which led thereto.
GuySuCo denies that the 2nd crop production at the time of the joint statement by the Unions was 35% below projections. In fact, the actual production deficit at the time was 23% of the revised production schedule and that deficit was due primarily to the late start of the crop. Given the extended rainy season which continued uncharacteristically into August, the 2nd crop which was initially projected to commence in the last week of July, was pushed back into the third week of August, thereby necessitating a revised production schedule.
In addition to the late start, there were problems with factory equipment on all locations which further compounded the situation. Most of those factory issues have since been resolved, while the others are being addressed. Notwithstanding the abovementioned setbacks, the Corporation is confident that the production targets for the 2nd crop would be achieved once favourable conditions prevail and the canes are harvested.
