Bakery fraternity faced with bitter times

THE BAKERS' Association of Jamaica is warning of possible job losses for persons working in bakeries and fewer baked products on the market if a three-week-old sugar shortage persists.

Audrey Lecky, president of the association, told The Gleaner yesterday that "it is going to be a challenging weekend, not just for bakers but for shoppers".

Lecky said the sugar shortage was so bad that it would not only affect the production of breads, buns and bulla but it might force some bakers to ask their employees to stay home.

Minister of Industry, Investments and Commerce Karl Samuda told The Gleaner yesterday he had not yet received a report on the matter, but noted that "there is a basis for the claims that there is a shortage of sugar in the marketplace.

"I am awaiting the report and, as soon as I get it, we will definitely take the appropriate actions," Samuda said.

Production cut

Lecky said most bakers, especially the smaller ones, have had to cut back production or stop producing because of the shortage of the commodity.

"Some bakers have had to use granulated sugar, which is more expensive, in order to continue producing," Lecky said.

She told The Gleaner that one baker paid for 200 bags of sugar last week and received only 50. She said the baker only got another 50 bags of sugar after a customer failed to collect it.

The bakers' association president, meanwhile, is hoping that Jamaica Cane Products Sales Limited will be able to deliver on a promise to provide some of the sweet commodity today. She, however, said that even if the sugar arrives she and other bakers would not be able to start their ovens this weekend as it would be too little, too late.