Colombian Organic Sugar Market growing and looking for new destinations

As of this year most sugar mills in Colombia have produced organic sugar both for local and export markets. Organic sugar market is quite new in Colombia, considering that in 2000, only one mill in Providencia produced organic sugar. Now, most of the mills see the organic market as a keyway to “un-commoditize” a product like sugar, adding value to the buyers both on health and environmental fronts, and as a big revenue driver.

The preferred destinations for organic sugar are the US and Europe, as clients and markets are well developed and constant demand for organic goods arises, but mills are also seeking different destinations such as Japan and Korea which are rapidly developing. Mills are presenting their products depending on the buyer: 50kg, 25kg polypropylene bags for importers/traders, or custom-made products for retailers. One of the mills is even developing a completely biodegradable bag made of sugar cane leftovers from the sugar process.