Authors

Daniel Vázquez

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-22-2012

Abstract

The Cuban sugar crop is being harvested, and a new management system is being put to the test. This model required the end of the historic Ministerio de Azúcar (MINAZ) last September to reduce bureaucratic organizations, modernize technology, and enhance business administration after production fell to 1.1 million tons in 2010, comparable to 1905. The industry, which produced more than 8 million tons of sugar in 1990, now faces disruptions because of equipment breakdowns as well as antiquated machinery in sugar mills built before 1959 when Fidel Castro took power on the island. The official target for the 2012 harvest is a 20% increase from last years crop of 1.2 million tons. Sugarcane is strategic for biofuel production, which has been opposed by former President Fidel Castro. However, diplomatic relations with Brazil are improving the prospects of ethanol in becoming a significant source of national revenue.'

Rights

Article re-posted with permission from the author as a PDF document as part of an Institutional Repository collection to aggregate Latin American energy policy, dialogue, white papers, reports, and educational materials.

Language

English

Publisher

NotiCen - Latin American Data Base

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