Mechanical issues have halted operations at Barbados’ lone sugar factory Portvale forcing suspension of harvesting in this year’s sugar crop.

Orlando Atherly, Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Agricultural Management Company, the state agency  responsible for the factory tells Starcom Network News that ash residue  damaged a boiler but operations should resume by the end of this week.

Meantime the suspension of sugar harvesting is a major concern for many in the industry including, Mark Sealy, Chairman of Barbados Sugar Industries Limited, the umbrella body for the sugar farmers.

Mr. Sealy says he’s aware that efforts continue to fix the problems at Portvale but in the interim with harvesting halted there’s the risk of canes rotting in the fields.