The Communist party daily, Granma, said plans to produce 1.45 million tonnes of raw sugar this season were 13 days, or 106,000 tonnes, behind schedule due to mechanical and labor problems.

Nevertheless, Granma said, "export plans were exceeded through February and the March plan should be met."

Cuba consumes 600,000 tonnes to 700,000 tonnes of sugar annually and has a 400,000-tonne toll agreement with China.

Cuban sugar is also sold for export on the spot market.

The Sugar Ministry was closed late last year and replaced by a state-run holding company. The industry hopes to reverse a long decline in output from 8 million tonnes in 1990 to 1.2 million tonnes last year.

Granma said there was enough cane to meet this year's 1.45 million tonne plan.

"There is still time. The key is not to assume we will meet the plan and produce more now," Granma said.

Cuba had hoped to wrap up the harvest by May, when hot and humid weather lowers yields, but many of the 56 mills will now have to grind on to meet their production targets.

Ancient mills and old equipment tend to breakdown more frequently as the harvest drags on.

All but eight Cuban mills were built before the 1959 revolution.