Africa and Taiwan are two of the new destinations where 200,000 quintals from the 2014 harvest will be exported.
The eight sugar mills operating in Honduras expect to export 200,000 of the 12 million quintals to be produced during the 2013-14 harvest which began in November. "This figure is in addition to the quota exported to the European Union as part of the Association Agreement with the bloc, which came into force in August," noted an article in Laprensa.hn.
Honduran Sugar producers are confident that the harvest which will start at the end of November will exceed 11 million quintals of sugar produced in 2012.
This was explained Carlos Melara, executive director of the Association of Sugar Producers of Honduras (APAH).
"... The estimated production, more than 12 million quintals of sugar, is due to the industry continuing to grow steadily and having achieved greater ability to export to new markets," noted an article in Proceso.hn.
The proceeds of the 2012-13 harvest, which ends next June, will exceed that of the previous harvest by a million quintals.
Carlos Melara, executive director of the Association of Sugar Producers in Honduras (APAH), has guaranteed domestic consumption of seven million quintals, which represents 70% of the production.
"We are close to the estimate of 11.3 million bushels, a million more in relation to the previous harvest," said Melara.
The Honduras sugar guild expects that the delay in the approval of the Association Agreement with the European Union will affect exports.
Carlos Melara, president of the Association of Sugar Producers of Honduras said that sugar exports will only start in June.
"Although there were projections for exports of 19,464 metric tons, only half of that will be will possible because they only have six months in which to negotiate," noted an article in Latribuna.hn.
Industry representatives believe that in the short term the WTO quota, which currently stands at 10.700 metric tons, will be doubled.
A drop in sugar production in the U.S. and Mexico could be an opportunity for Honduran producers, with an increase of the current quota of 10,700 metric tons.
Carlos Melara, Executive Director of the Association of Sugar Producers of Honduras (APAH by its Spanish acronym), told Elheraldo.hn, "I think that amount could be doubled and we have even suggested that we could export about 20,000 additional tons if the U.S. wants it."
Sugar production in Honduras in 2011-2012 will be about 10 million quintals and will generate approximately $100 million in foreign exchange. 3 million quintals will be for export.
Carlos Melara, president of the Association of Sugar Producers of Honduras (APAH), estimated that the sector will have revenues of about $100 million. According to Melara, with 70% of the crop designated for the domestic market, it has secured its supply, reported LaPrensa.hn.
The sugar industry has asked the government for transparent policies in order to promote investment in bio-fuel production.
The issue of expropriations in Bajo Aguán and the slow process of analysis by Congress regarding Decree 18-2008 on delinquent land, are some of the issues concerning investors.
Elheraldo.hn adds, "Members of the Association of Sugar Producers (APAH) state that investments cannot continue without clear rules.
The exports target has been trimmed by $ 20 million due to adverse weather.
For the 2010-11 harvest, which begins in late November, the projected target was 9.8 million quintals of which 32% was for export.
"Only sugar producer Choluteca, reported in September 3,000 flooded hectares, La Grecia 4,000 hectares, Azucarera del Norte 3,000 hectares and in the case of Compañía Azucarera Hondureña y Chumbagua about 1,000 hectares," reports Latribuna.hn.
Mexico opened an export quota for 100,000 tons of sugar, with Honduran sugar producers attempting to take advantage of it.
Sugar is not listed as an exchange product under the FTA signed by both countries.
The director of the Sugar Producers Association of Honduras (APAH), Carlos Melara, said they are requesting Mexican authorities to provide equal trade conditions like the ones granted to Nicaragua for sugar export.
Floods in 11,000 hectares of sugar cane crops will affect export targets of 2,200 million pounds of the 2010-2011 harvest.
The report reveals flooded sugar cane hectares in Choluteca, La Grecia, Azucarera del Norte, Compañía Azucarera Hondureña and Chumbagua.
Executive Director of Sugar Producers Association of Honduras (APAH), Carlos Melara, told Latribuna.hn, "We are concerned, the crisis is severe because of total losses, in other cases the tonnage and quality of juice."
The region has defined the allocation of 150,000 tons of tariff-free sugar quotas granted by the EU.
The largest allocation went to Guatemala with 65,000 metric tons, followed by El Salvador with 24,391 tons, Nicaragua with 21,681 tons, Honduras and Costa Rica with 19,464 tons each.
The quotas have been defined at private company level and are therefore subject to approval by respective governments.
On Friday 30 July the region will share out the 150,000 ton tariff-free sugar quota granted by the EU.
The meeting will take place in Managua, Nicaragua.
Carlos Melara, general manager of the Honduran Association of Sugar Producers (Apah), indicated that Honduras expects a quota of 25,000 tons.
"We expect a fair allocation that reflects the history and growth of the country, as well as Honduras' significant contribution to the EU negotiations", Melara told Elheraldo.hn.