Havana: Cuba is falling short of 95,000 tonnes of sugar output from the set target of 455,000 tonnes for the ongoing season, as per the state-run sugar monopoly AZCUBA, reports Reuters.
When the harvest began it was expected that 400,000 tonnes would be used for domestic consumption and the remaining would be exported, said the company.
A sugar expert said that the country will have to import sugar to meet domestic demand.
It was in 1900 when Cuba produced less than 400,000 tonnes.
In 1989 Cuba produced 8 million tonnes of raw sugar through its 100 sugar mills and most of it was destined for the Soviet Union.
The increased input costs, rise in prices of fuel and fertilizers, and old equipment have increased the problems before the sector.
Annual sugar consumption in Cuba is between 600,000 and 700,000 tonnes and the country has a long-standing agreement to export 400,000 tonnes to China, the deal is now suspended.
