SUGARCANE EXPORT

With the increasing number of food and beverage industries and as consumers grow increasingly interested in natural and unrefined food products, sugar cane is becoming more popular in Europe and many African nations.

Product Description
Sugarcane belongs to the grass family
Poaceae, an economically important seed plant. It has stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in the sugar sucrose, which accumulates in the stalk internodes. A sugarcane plant is about two to six metres (six to twenty feet) tall.

Sugarcane is the world's largest crop by production quantity. After harvesting sugarcanes, the canes are pressed to extract the juice. The sugar cane juice is then evaporated by heating. The remaining product is raw cane sugar.

Global Sugarcane Market
Sugarcane is a cash crop, it accounts for 80% of sugar produced in the world and it is also used as livestock fodder. Apart from sugar, other products derived from sugarcane include ethanol, rum, falernum, molasses and bagasse.
The global demand for sugar is the primary driver of sugarcane export.

Europe does not produce any raw cane sugar and has to import sugarcane from other countries. Demand for sugarcane globally is expected to continue to increase, especially as the demand for sugar increases. Industry sources indicate that the potential for increased demand is particularly high in Germany.

Nigeria can target to generate billions of naira from the country's sugarcane export market to reverse the present economic situation.

Presently, China is the leading market for sugarcane in Europe.
Other large importers of the product include The United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Finland and Germany

Requirements for European Market
It is very important that you have a clear understanding of the European import requirements. European food safety legislation and consumers are highly critical when it comes to food safety.

You will no doubt be successful in exporting your product to Europe if you comply with these requirements:
Food safety – traceability, hygiene and control
Quality
Labelling
Packaging
Pesticide residues
Food safety certification
Documentation
GMO-free certificates
Organic and Fairtrade certification

Market Competition
The sugarcane market is highly competitive. It is worthy to note that your competitors in the sugarcane export market are based in many countries around the world.

As an exporter of sugarcane, you must be consistent and offer competitive prices to gain access and remain in business.