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Zambia's main sugar producer records 10 pct drop production

Xinhua, May 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

Zambia's main sugar producer has recorded a 10 percent decline in sugar production in the year ended March 2016 compared to the previous year, the Times of Zambia reported on Thursday.

Zambia Sugar Plc says sugar production dropped to 380,400 tons compared to 424,000 tons for the previous year.

Rebecca Katowa, the company's managing director has attributed the decline to dry climatic conditions, power interruptions to irrigation and the outbreak of yellow sugarcane aphids.

She however said the decline was partly offset by a two percent increase in the area under cane delivered.

"Despite a number of challenges beyond our immediate control, our continued focus on cost reduction, efficiency improvements, and a culture of doing more with less minimized the impact and supported our performance," she is quoted saying by the paper.

Last month, the firm said it anticipated a drop in sugarcane production from its planned 3.5 million tons to 3 million tons due to a partial drought and power deficit.

Situated in southern Zambia's Mazabuka district, the firm which is listed on the Lusaka Stock Exchange is owned by South Africa's Illovo Sugar Plc which has a 82 percent stake while the other shares are owned by institutional and private shareholders. Endit