Sugar industry in a sweet place
The sugar industry could see up to 12% growth in the forth coming 2017/18 season
The breaking of the drought and the recent good rainfall has left the sugar industry in a much better position than last year, this is according to the executive board vice chairman for Gledhow Sugar Company, Paul de Robillard.
“Over the last 14 months the Gledhow cane growing areas have had eight months of above average rainfall, which has been particularly good during the growing season.”
De Robillard told The Courier that the sugar industry could see up to 12% growth in the forth coming 2017/18 season.
“This is very encouraging for everyone – especially the drought affected growers, who have had a financially difficult three years.
“From a Gledhow Sugar point of view we expect to produce about 168 000 tons of refined sugar from the 2017/18 season.
“This is a definite upturn for the whole industry and particularly Gledhow Sugar; credit must go to all our farmers, who have implemented best agricultural practices during the difficult drought conditions in order to take advantage of the rain and the good growing conditions.”
The Gledhow Sugar Mill started its crushing season on March 23 and expects to finish crushing the crop – estimated at approximately 1,4 million tons of cane – by the end of November 2017.
On the other hand, the ever growing amount of sugar being imported from places such as Dubai and Brazil is putting pressure on the local industry.
De Robillard said that in excess of 240 000 tons of sugar had been imported recently into South Africa.
“The level of imports has been a bit of a dark cloud over the industry.”
However, he said that if normal seasonal rainfall continues the local industry will be able to bounce back and produce sufficient sugar for the local market and would have a reasonable volume of sugar available for export.
>> Expect to find the latest trends in Health, Wellness and Beauty in Ballito.
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