Welcome to our blog!

May 1, 2013
Welcome to my blog on our new Sugar Journal website! I’m Romney Richard, editor of Sugar Journal magazine. This entry hits a little on the information from here my most recent e-newsletter, Sugar & Energy Notes, which got sent out yesterday to over 4,000 subscribers. It’s full of information about current events in the worldwide sugar industry, including the upcoming ISSCT Congress in Brazil and Zimbabwe’s threats to close Tongaat Hulett Sugar Factory.

First off, if you have not done so already, register for this year’s ISSCT Congress! This meeting is held every three years by the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ISSCT). This year, it will be held from June 24–27 in Brazil (for the third time) and coordinated by the Brazilian Society of Sugar and Ethanol Technologists (STAB). To attend or to participate in any congress activity, either as an exhibitor or congress attendee, ISSCT membership is mandatory. Visit www.issct2013.com.br for details.

Another important point of interest is Zimbabwe threatening to close Tongaat Hulett. Tongaat Hulett has come under increased pressure from Zimbabwe government officials to give away majority shares of land to black Zimbabwean groups, scaring away the foreign investment needed to turn Zimbabwe’s economy around. For the last 10–15 years, the Robert Mugabe-led government has been on a controversial land reform program. Now they are asking for 51% of the shares of the Tongaat Hulett sugar factory located in Zimbabwe. Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere claims, “Come July [2013], Tongaat Hulett won’t be planting cane in Zimbabwe. Any company defying us is saying that Zanu (PF) must go to hell. Some companies are doing it for political purposes.” For more information, please visit bizcommunity.com.

U.S. Sugar announced a record harvest in 2012/13. They finished out their 82nd year with a record sugarcane production of more than 7.4 million tons. This includes 5.8 million tons from company-owned and leased sugarcane farms, combined with cane from 39 independent growers. Also, the Clewiston Sugar Factory had the highest sugar yield in the last 20 years with 11.83%. It also produced 40.4 million gallons of molasses and 193,308 MWhrs of electricity.

Worland Sugar Refinery plans to add 2 storage silos to increase capacity for year-round marketing. This increase not only gives the plant an avenue to better compete in the marketplace, but will also boost the farmers, community and economy. The project should be finished by the end of the year.

For more information, and to stay up-to-date with the sugar industry, sign up for our FREE biweekly e-newsletter Sugar & Energy Notes, and check back here for more blog posts!

All the best,
Romney Richard