text: Several Japanese buyers have accepted postponement of between 150000 and 200000 tonnes of Cuban raw sugar scheduled for delivery in calendar 1987 until next year following a request from Cuba trade sources said. Cuba had sought delays for some 300000 tonnes of deliveries they said. It made a similar request in January when Japanese buyers agreed to postpone some 200000 tonnes of sugar deliveries for 1987 until 1988. Some buyers rejected the Cuban request because they have already sold the sugar on to refiners they added. Japanese buyers are believed to have contracts to buy some 950000 tonnes of raw sugar from Cuba for 1987 shipment. But Japans actual raw sugar imports from Cuba are likely to total only some 400000 to 450000 tonnes this year against 576990 in 1986 reflecting both the postponements and sales earlier this year by Japanese traders of an estimated 150000 tonnes of Cuban sugar to the USSR for 1987 shipment they said. They estimated Japans total sugar imports this year at 1.8 mln tonnes against 1.81 mln in 1986 of which Australia is expected to supply 550000 against 470000 South Africa 350000 against 331866 and Thailand 400000 after 390776. REUTER
target: JAPANESE BUYERS ACCEPT CUBA SUGAR DELAY - TRADERS