Cape Town: Sugar industry has witnessed growth amid a pandemic last year, said Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. He was speaking in a meeting comprised of farmers, millers, food producers, trade unions and retailers. The meeting was organised virtually to provide an update on the progress of the Sugar Master Plan that was recently signed.
The industry has witnessed an increase in the sugar sale by 15% in the domestic markets, said a statement issued by the ministry.
The increase in the sugar sale was witnessed through the purchase of sugar by the retail and industrial sector including soft-drink manufacturers. We need to address the challenges despite the increase in the purchase of sugar, he said.
According to the media report, as part of the master plan, industrial users and retailers have agreed to minimum off-take of sugar for three years; with at least 80 per cent of sugar consumption to come from the local sugar industry, increasing to 95 per cent by 2023.
