Sugarcane Guide

The global import rate of sugar is currently in decline with annual growth in value of -3%, and annual growth in the quantity of -2%. The countries with the most value imported in 2019 are the US, Indonesia, and China.

The top exporters of sugarcane in the global market are:

1) Laos - USD $43.2M

2) Myanmar - USD $8.57M

3) Malaysia - USD $2.66M

4) Vietnam - USD $2.30M

5) Uganda - USD $2.26M

6) Mexico - USD $0.63M

Brazil, India, and China were the largest producers of sugarcane in 2018, with Brazil ranking first with an average of 746.83M MT of production followed by India with 376.90M MT of production, and China coming at the third spot with an average of 108.10M MT of production. Thailand and Pakistan became the top four and five producers with Thailand’s production amounts of 104.36M MT and Pakistan’s production amounts of 67.17M MT. 

In India, harvesting of sugarcane is carried out at the 10 to 18 months stage, depending upon the planting time and crop maturity. In sub-tropics, the autumn crop is harvested at the 15-month stage, whereas spring and summer (late-planted) crop at 10-12 months. Early varieties are harvested at 10 months stage, mid-late 10-12 months, and late after the 12-month stage. In the tropical zone, Adsali crops are harvested after the 16-18 months stage.

Source: 

Expert System For Sugarcane

Saccharum officinarum

Originating from New Guinea, the stem color can be green, pinkish, or purple, the height is up to 5 meters, leaves grow up to 60 cm & the width of 5 cm. It has spikelets of around 3 mm & also has fruits which when dry have seeds. This is the main type that is cultivated in Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa & the Pacific. Most of the sugarcane grown globally comes from hybrids produced from this variety due to high harvest yields (up to 280 tons per hectare) & low risks of pests & diseases.

Saccharum barberi or Saccharum sinensis

Originates from northern India, are short with a diameter of 2.5 cm, leaf blades have a maximum width of 5 cm, the flower is a large panicle with long silky hairs on the stalk which soon breaks off. This type is common in Northern India & the USA. It has a high content of fiber and high risks of pests & diseases & harvest yields are around 60 tonnes hectare making it commercially uncompetitive as compared to other varieties.

Saccharum spontaneum or Saccharum robustum

This type is from India. It is 3 meters in height & has rhizomatous roots. It also grows in lowlands ecoregion & terai-dua savanna grasslands. This type is common in India, Nepal, Bangladesh & Bhutan & is still produced commercially in this region but its harvest yields are average (80 tons per hectare) as compared to hybrids.

Saccharum edule

It originated from Southeast Asia & its height is up to 4 meters, has a narrower stem, thinner leaves & more flexible, and its unopened flower head is eaten. This sugarcane grows in Southeast Asia & Pacific countries. It is commercially produced but faces high risks of pests & diseases, low harvest yields (55-60 tonnes per hectare) as compared to hybrids hence its production is limited to 1 region. 

Sugar beets are harvested, washed, slicked, and soaked for the juice to be extracted from the plant material. The juice is cleaned to remove impurities and extra color in order for the production of sugar syrup. The syrup is then crystallized and spun in a centrifuge for liquid removal. Crystals are then dried and packaged for distribution.

On the other hand, sugar cane is harvested, crushed, soaked, and squeezed for the juice to be extracted and separated from the plant material. The juice is then boiled to thicken the syrup and crystallize. The crystals are spun in a centrifuge for liquid removal and for the production of raw sugar. The raw sugar is transported to a refinery for impurities to be removed. The raw sugar is melted to remove and filter the remaining impurities and for the production of sugar syrup. The syrup is then crystallized and dried. Sugar is then packaged for distribution. 

Soil

Sugarcane cultivation requires red volcanic soils & alluvial soils with a pH of 6.5-7.5. For example, soil acidity adversely affects sugarcane growth, yield, and quality. In sandy soils having a very low cation exchange capacity, lower concentrations of Al (nitrate) in the soil solution may cause toxicity problems.

Temperature

The temperature between 15 to 45°C in a warm & humid climate helps in the synthesis of sucrose in cane hence boosting the quality.

Rainfall

Average rainfall of 150 cm is required for cultivation otherwise lack of sufficient rainfall causes maturity of sugarcane while gradually withdrawal of irrigation/rainfall during the ripening phase is known to help in the accumulation of more sugar.

Planting time

Leaf area development is especially important because the rate of leaf area increase is relatively slow. The higher leaf area tiller-1 in early sowing throughout the growing season might be due to the presence of favorable environmental conditions for vegetative growth than that of late sowing.

Humidity

High humidity (80-85%) favors rapid cane elongation during the grand growth period. A moderate value of 45-65% coupled with limited water supply is favorable during the ripening phase hence if the conditions are not similar poor quality cane will be harvested.

Insects, pests, and diseases-susceptibility of the variety to the diseases and pests aggravates the situation and creates additive problems & damages sugarcanes hence affecting the quality.

According to USDA sugarcane is graded on the following aspects: minimum Brix solids, minimum total sugar, maximum ash content, and maximum total sulfites. 50 points are assigned for the color & 50 points are assigned for freedom from defects. Brix solids refer to the applicable solid contents & it's measured by Brix hydrometer. Sulfites refer to parts per million sulfur dioxide. Below are common grades:

Grade A

It has a good flavor and good color. The color is bright and typical of molasses processed from mature, sound sugarcane and meets glass color standard Number 1. Grade A is practically free from defects, which means that any extraneous material does not affect the appearance or edibility. Grade A must have a minimum of 79 percent Brix solids and 63.5 percent total sugar, a maximum of 5 percent ash, and a maximum of 200 parts per million sulfites. To be rated Grade A, sugarcane molasses must rate at least 90 points on the scoring system.

Grade B

It has a reasonably good flavor and color that meets glass color standard Number 2. Grade B is reasonably free from defects, meaning that any extraneous material does not affect the appearance or edibility. Grade B must have a minimum of 79 percent Brix solids and 61.5 percent total sugar, a maximum of 7 percent ash, and a maximum of 250 parts per million sulfites. Grade B sugarcane molasses must score at least 80 points.

Grade C

It has a fairly good flavor and color that meets glass color standard Number 3. Grade C is fairly free from defects, which means that any extraneous material does not seriously affect the appearance or edibility. Grade C must have a minimum of 79 percent Brix solids and 58 percent total sugar, a maximum of 9 percent ash, and a maximum of 250 parts per million sulfites. To be rated Grade C, sugarcane molasses must score at least 70 points.

Substandard

Sugarcane that fails to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade C. Substandard grade has less than 79 percent Brix solids, less than 58 percent total sugar, more than 9 percent ash, and more than 250 parts per million sulfites.

Ridge and Furrow Method

Ridges and furrows are created by using a ridge and a distance of 120 cm is kept between furrows (heavy loam soil) and 105 cm (light soil). Planting is generally done by 2 methods:

• Wet method - Planting is done by pressing sugarcane shoots 2.5 cm to 5 cm inside the soil manually (by hands or feet). All stem sets are placed end-to-end facing buds on sides.
  

• Dry method - Stem sets are placed end to end facing eye buds on the sides and then covered with a layer of soil on top. No hard pressing is done and this method is applied on farms with heavy soils.
  

Flat Bed Method

The land is properly plowed, harrowed, and leveled. After that, flatbeds are prepared. Cane stem sets are laid and sowed end to end, in rows in the beds. A distance of 60 to 90 cm is kept between rows and pressed to a depth of 2.5 to 5 cm deep in the soil manually. The Earthing process is carried out in the rainy season.

Rayungan Method

Rayungan method is followed for adsali sugarcane planting at river side’s field in heavy rainfall areas of Kolhapur district. In this area usually, cane fields get flooded during the rainy season which affects germination. In such cases set cannot be planted directly in the main field. Single bud sets are planted vertically in nurseries which are prepared high lying areas of the farm in the month of June and July. After six weeks the sprouted sets are transplanted in the main field when the danger of flooding is over.

Source: 

Sugarcane Farming Guide, Cultivation for Beginners

In many southern provinces in Vietnam, in 2020 sugarcane crops have not been completely harvested, leaving hundreds of hectares left to be collected. Due to the effects of the COVID-19, the general demand for sugarcane decreased as well as the available labor forces to harvest the crop. Sugarcane consumption dropped sharply when many sugar mills in the country stopped operating to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Not only facing the difficulties in demand but also the next harvest is also expected to be difficult due to the saline intrusion situation in Vietnam. Demand for domestic sugar in Vietnam remains very low. The domestically produced sugar is poorly consumed and the inventory is very high and the foreign sugar continues to penetrate and dominate the markets in Vietnam. The price of sugar produced from domestic cane depends on the quality of sugar, ranging from 12,000 to 13,500 VND/KG. Sugar produced from domestic sugarcane is not consumed as the imported sugar prices and domestic prices compete. Due to the high competition, the prices of domestic sugar are pushed lower irrespective of the international sugar prices.

Although demand growth has slowed in recent years due to a decrease in world population growth rates and increasing concerns over the potential health effects of excessive sugar consumption, growth in sugar intake continues to remain strong in developing states where per capita consumption is relatively low. The agricultural attaché of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the Philippines expects the country’s sugar production to increase 2% in FY 2020-21, to 2.2 million tons. Sugar inventories are also building up in India, following bumper crops. Destocking is taking place in the EU and US, resulting in a stable global stock-to-use ratio. China is also projected to experience accelerated growth in sugarcane and sugar beet production. By 2027, the product in China is expected to reach 13.4 MT, mainly through increases in yields and area. Strong prospects are also foreseen in Pakistan where the government will continue to support sugar production through guaranteed prices to farmers and subsidized exports. 

Source: 

OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2019-2028

According to ITC Trade Map, the markets with the greatest potential for the World’s exports of 170191 Refined cane or beet sugar are Germany, Myanmar, and the USA. The US shows the largest absolute difference between potential and actual exports in value terms, leaving room to realize additional exports worth USD 5.8 mn.