Cuba turns trade tables by buying outside sugar

Cuba, the world's leading sugar exporter, recently bought an estimated 100, 000 to 120,000 metric tons of free-market sugar, according to world sugar traders. The purchases have stirred speculation that the Cubans, under pressure to ship more sugar to the Soviet Union, may be feeling a temporary shortage of sugar to meet export commitments.

Trade sources said Cuba may also be importing the sugar to fulfill a long-term agreement to supply Mexico with 100,000 metric tons of white sugar.