Did you know the technique of turning sugar cane into granulated sugar was discovered
in India? Sugar has been pr-
oduced in the Indian subcontinent since ancient times where it remained relatively
unimportant until Indians discovered methods of turning sugarcane juice into granulated
crystals that were easier to store and to transport. Sugar crystallization methods
were discovered in the 5th century and later carried to China by traveling Buddhist
monks. Soon the knowledge of how to cultivate sugar cane and produce sugar would
spread throughout Asia and the Middle East.
Today, it is hard to imagine a world without easy access to sugar. The world production
of sugar is about 155 million tonnes annually, with more than one hundred countries
producing sugar. The largest of them are Brazil, India and China. Sugar is produced
in tropical regions from sugar cane, and in temperate regions from sugar beets.
Most of the sugar production is consumed in the countries of origin, with only about
28% traded in the world market.
PHOENIX’S ROLE IN THE GLOBAL SUGAR
BUSINESS
Our involvement in the sugar industry began as an extension to our existing rice
business with the import of our first consignment into East Africa in 2002. We utilize
the same network today for trading and distribution of sugar, enabling us to provide
sugar competitively to our existing buyers in Africa and the Middle East.
We trade close to 100,000 metric tonnes of sugar annually to a select and regular
clientele, many a times providing them with rice and sugar combination cargo parcels,
ensuring individual quality control and consistent delivery.