Agroindustrialists are opposed to the bill with which cane growers intend to establish an additional payment for the bagasse they provide.
The Sugar Association of El Salvador argues that the price paid to sugarcane growers for bagasse is already built into the price of sugar, "... as evidenced by the purchase agreement".
The sugar sector exceeded its production goals for the 2012/13 season, closing with 16.8 million quintals of sugar, 12% more than in the previous harvest.
"The sector is counting on productivity, for which the mills with cane growers have invested in new technologies and farming methods in order to increase efficiency and productivity," said Mario Salaverria, president of the Sugar Association (AESA ).
On average 235 pounds of sugar per ton of sugarcane is yielded, the highest average in the isthmus, and sugar producers want to increase that number in the current harvest.
The national average is 235 pounds of sugar extracted per ton of cane and the next closest is that of Costa Rica, with 225 pounds. The lowest is Guatemala, with 213 pounds extracted, although they produce the most.