(Ecofin Agency) - Mauritius is expected to produce 350, 000 tons of sugar in the 2018 season, down 5, 000 tons from last season, the country’s Chamber of Agriculture reports.

This slight drop in production comes in a difficult context for the sugar sector. Indeed, as sugar quotas ended last October, the sector which has been benefiting from high guaranteed prices on the European market, has now lost its attractiveness to this market.

In addition, the nation’s main sugar companies Terra Mauricia and Omnicane are facing significant operational losses due to the decline in sugar cane supplies.

Let’s recall that sugarcane is grown over about 58, 000 hectares, representing about 31% of Mauritius’ total area. Sugar industry accounts for 2% of GDP, provides almost 16% of export earnings and generates 28, 500 direct jobs.  

Espoir Olodo