Raw Sugar

Grading Factors

Quality assessment for raw sugar considers Polarisation, Colour (ICUMSA), and Conductivity ash.

• Polarisation

  Measures the degree of sucrose crystallinity; buyers use it to assess purity.

• Colour (ICUMSA)

  Indicates visual whiteness; lower values mean higher purity.

• Conductivity ash

  Reflects mineral content; limits ensure low impurity levels.

• Invert sugar content

  Shows amount of partially hydrolyzed sucrose; limits affect sweetness and processing behavior.

Common Defects

Recorded defects for raw sugar include Heavy metals, Pesticide residues, and Microbial contamination.

• Heavy metals

  Presence of metals such as arsenic or lead above safety limits; arises from contaminated soil or processing equipment.

• Pesticide residues

  Residues exceeding Codex limits; result from improper pesticide application on sugarcane.

• Microbial contamination

  Excessive total plate count, yeast, moulds or presence of Salmonella; can occur from poor hygiene during handling.

• Foreign matter

  Dirt, soil, gravel or plant debris in the crystals; introduced during harvest or transport.

• Off‑odours

  Fermented or musty smells indicating spoilage; caused by improper storage moisture.

Certifications

Certifications documented for raw sugar include Bonsucro. Their applicability depends on the individual product and shipment.

• Bonsucro

  Voluntary sustainability certification covering environmental and social standards for sugarcane production.

Raw Sugar HS Code

Production and Storage

End Uses

• Refining

  Further purification to produce white refined sugar for consumer use.

• Confectionery

  Ingredient in candy, chocolate and bakery products.

• Beverage formulation

  Used in soft drinks and alcoholic beverages as a sweetener.

• Bioethanol production

  Fermented to produce ethanol for fuel.

• Cogeneration

  Burned to generate electricity and steam at sugar mills.

Uses and Related Commodities

Sourcing risks