South Africa's master plan boosts limping sugar industry

With the sugar industry starting to show signs of recovery after years of decline, South African Sugar Association (Sasa) executive director Trix Trikam says the implementation of the South African Sugarcane Value Chain Master Plan to 2030 will further help the industry stabilise. The master plan aims to ensure stability, growth and sustainability of the local sugar industry going forward. The first phase of the plan will focus on immediate actions and commitments focused on addressing short-term concerns, stabilising the industry and creating a window of two to three years during which the industry will undergo restructuring. “The future of the industry is mainly dependent on the successful implementation of the master plan. Two of its priorities speak to the optimisation of local market demand and diversified solutions for the industry. Changes brought about by the master plan that promote efficiency will also assist in protecting the industry from imports,” says Trikam. He ...