Guyana is expelling managers of its sugar industry in hopes of boosting production.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud says the South American country is ending a 19-year contract with Britain-based Booker Tate. The government blames strikes and poor crop management, as well as heavy rainfall, for a decline in production.
Booker Tate did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company helped manage Guyana's state-owned company Guysuco, which runs all eight of the country's sugar estates.
Persaud said Thursday that Guyana produced 226,000 tons (205,000 metric tons) of sugar last year despite a projected 315,000 tons (290,000 metric tons).
Guyana is the Caribbean's largest sugar-producing nation.
