Before trading sugar, you must understand what you’re trading. Sugar is not a single commodity but a spectrum of products with distinct qualities, origins, and end uses.
What is Sugar?
Sugar refers to sucrose (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁), a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose.
| Type | Description |
|---|
| Raw sugar | Crystallized sugar before refining |
| Refined/White | Fully processed, high-purity |
| Specialty | Brown, organic, specialty grades |
Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|
| Formula | C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ |
| Melting Point | 186°C (367°F) |
| Bulk Density | 800-900 kg/m³ |
| Calories | 4 kcal/gram |
Cane vs Beet
Sugarcane (80% of production)
- Tropical/subtropical grass
- 12-18 month growing cycle
- Grown in Brazil, India, Thailand, Australia
- Produces molasses and ethanol byproducts
Sugar Beet (20% of production)
- Temperate root vegetable
- 5-6 month growing cycle
- Grown in EU, Russia, USA, Turkey
- Higher sucrose concentration (15-20%)
Raw Sugar Types
| Type | Polarization | ICUMSA | Description |
|---|
| VHP | 99.3°+ | 1000-2500 | Premium export |
| VLC | 99.5°+ | 400-600 | Low color |
| VVHP | 99.5°+ | 1500-2000 | Ultra-high purity |
| Standard | 96°-97° | 2500-4500 | Traditional raw |
Refined Sugar Types
| Type | ICUMSA Max | Use |
|---|
| ICUMSA 45 | 45 | Premium white |
| ICUMSA 100 | 100 | Standard white |
| ICUMSA 150 | 150 | Off-white |
Quality Parameters
Polarization (Pol)
Measures sucrose content via optical rotation.
| Grade | Minimum Pol |
|---|
| Standard Raw | 96.0° |
| High Pol | 98.0° |
| VHP | 99.3° |
| VLC/VVHP | 99.5° |
ICUMSA Color
Lower ICUMSA = Whiter = Higher value
| Category | Range |
|---|
| Premium White | ≤45 |
| Standard White | 46-100 |
| Plantation White | 301-1200 |
| Raw Sugar | 1000-4500 |
Other Parameters
| Parameter | Raw Max | Refined Max |
|---|
| Moisture | 0.15% | 0.04% |
| Ash | 0.15% | 0.04% |
| Reducing Sugars | 0.10% | 0.04% |
Grades by Origin
Brazil
| Grade | Pol | ICUMSA | Share |
|---|
| VHP | 99.3° | 1000-2500 | 75% |
| VVHP | 99.5° | 800-1500 | 15% |
| VLC | 99.5° | 400-600 | 5% |
Thailand
| Grade | Pol | ICUMSA |
|---|
| Thai Raw | 96.0° | 2500-4000 |
| Thai Hi-Pol | 98.0° | 1500-2500 |
| Thai VHP | 99.3° | 1000-2000 |
Australia
| Grade | Pol | ICUMSA |
|---|
| QSL Brand | 98.5° | 1500-2500 |
| Australian VHP | 99.3° | 1000-1800 |
Storage
Optimal Conditions
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|
| Temperature | 15-25°C |
| Humidity | <60% RH |
| Ventilation | Good |
Packaging
| Type | Weight | Use |
|---|
| Bulk | Full cargo | Export |
| Big Bags | 1-2 MT | Industrial |
| PP Bags | 25-50 kg | Retail |
Common Problems
| Problem | Cause | Prevention |
|---|
| Caking | Moisture | Control humidity |
| Darkening | Heat/oxidation | Proper temp |
| Infestation | Pests | Fumigation |
End Uses
| Sector | Share | Examples |
|---|
| Food/Beverage | 70% | Soft drinks, bakery |
| Industrial | 15% | Pharma, chemicals |
| Ethanol | 15% | Biofuel |
Key Takeaways
- Pol + ICUMSA are the critical quality parameters
- Origin matters for pricing and quality
- Storage is critical — sugar is hygroscopic
- Match grade to use — end user determines spec
References