CONGO SUGAR CROP HITS RECORD

SUGAR production in the Republic Of Congo hit a record 43690 tonnes for the year 2000 – the largest amount since the creation of SARIS, the country’s only sugar company. SARIS produced only 31000 tonnes in 1999 due to fighting in the south of the country at the beginning of the year. The company plans to increase sugar production to 60000 tonnes in 2003 and 70000 in 2005. Internal sugar consumption is estimated at between 15000 and 20000 tonnes per year. The rest is exported to neighbouring countries and the European Union. – Reuters