Barbados Sugar Sweetening Florida

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Michael Headley




 Letter from Brooklyn

By Michael Headley

On March 07, it was a welcome sight to see the smiling faces of The Barbados Agricultural Management Company (BAMC) team as they celebrated the breakthrough into the United States (US) Miami, Florida, sugarcane market - on February 08, 20,000 two-pound packages of Barbados' Del Sur sugar were exported to Miami. And with more shipments planned for April, and continuing monthly - in additional containers - bodes well for the sugar industry, with the prospect of reaping some much-needed foreign reserves, to boost the economy, and also give the Barbados brand some international exposure.

Florida is the main producer of sugarcane in the US - 17.3 million tons were produced in 2021.  Overall, Florida produces about 20% of sugar consumed in the US.  Louisiana, Texas and Hawaii, are the other production sources.   The by-product, Blackstrap molasses, is mainly used for animal feed.

Let's hope that synergies can improve between the farmers and BAMC's marketing team so that quantities planted, would meet demand, and farmers would be compensated promptly.  Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Orlanda Atherley should continue to use the science, regarding time of planting/cutting, to get the maximum yield.  I hope that the planned four-and 50-pound bags, for future export, also come into fruition.

For nostalgic purposes, I always keep a 2LB package of Plantation Reserve, Barbados Traditional in my cupboard, for safe keeping and to be used sparingly.   

Congratulations BAMC and farmers alike. Keep up the good work.

Michael Headley is a social comentator based in Brooklyn, New York

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