Cane sugar supply
Brazil supports refined, crystal and raw/VHP cane sugar routes. Grade and availability are reviewed against the required application, volume, packing, shipment window and destination.
Bulk Cane & Beet Sugar Sourcing by ICUMSA Grade
A3 reviews bulk cane and beet sugar requirements across refined white, crystal, raw/VHP and white beet grades, matching ICUMSA colour, origin, packing, shipment route and destination.
Cane, beet and flexible supply routes
Sugar programmes differ by feedstock, origin, grade, packing and destination. A3 aligns these variables around the buyer’s application and delivery requirements.
Beet sugar supply
European beet sugar provides a white-sugar route for food, beverage, bakery and industrial programmes. Origin, producer, grade, packing and documentation are confirmed for the specific offer.
Packing & shipment formats
Export bags, big bags, retail formats and bulk routes may be considered according to grade, producer, volume and loading configuration. Labelling and destination requirements are confirmed before quotation.
Choosing the right sugar grade
ICUMSA values help buyers compare sugar colour, but colour is only one part of grade selection. Application, supplier specification and certificate of analysis should be considered together.
What the ICUMSA value tells you
ICUMSA colour describes the colour of a sugar solution and is expressed in ICUMSA Units (IU). It is a laboratory colour measurement, not a complete quality score.
How to read the number
Within comparable specifications, lower ICUMSA Unit values generally indicate a lighter sugar solution, while higher values indicate more colour. The result should be read together with the stated test method and supplier specification.
Colour is not the whole specification
Grade selection also depends on polarisation, moisture, ash, granulation, reducing sugars, packing and destination requirements. An ICUMSA colour value alone cannot confirm whether a sugar is suitable for a particular process.
Matching grades to applications
Use the ICUMSA value to narrow the range, then confirm application fit against the offer-specific specification and Certificate of Analysis. A lower colour number should not be treated as universally better for every programme.
Technical specifications
Compare the main indicative sugar grade values before requesting a quotation.
| Parameter | ICUMSA 45White refined cane sugar | ICUMSA 150Crystal cane sugar | ICUMSA 600-1200Brown raw cane sugar | ICUMSA 60-100White beet sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial form | Refined white cane sugar | Crystal cane sugar | Raw or less-refined brown cane sugar | White beet sugar |
| Moisture | 0.04% max. | 0.10% max. | 0.15% max. | 0.06% max. |
| Ash content | 0.04% max. | 0.10% max. | 0.15% max. | 0.08% max. |
| Polarisation | 99.8° min. | 99.5° min. | 97.8° to 99.2° | 99.8° min. |
| Solubility | 100% dry and free flow | 100% dry and free flow | 95% dry and free flow | 100% dry and free flow |
| Radiation | Normal certified | Normal certified | Normal certified | Normal certified |
| Colour | Sparkling white | Sparkling white | Brown | White at 20° |
| Granulation | Fine | Fine | 6 mm regular size | Fine |
ICUMSA 45White refined cane sugar
Commercial formRefined white cane sugar
Moisture0.04% max.
Ash content0.04% max.
Polarisation99.8° min.
Solubility100% dry and free flow
RadiationNormal certified
ColourSparkling white
GranulationFine
From specification to shipment
A3 reviews the requested ICUMSA range, application, polarisation, moisture, ash and granulation against the proposed supplier specification and available Certificate of Analysis. Supplier capability and the document set are confirmed for the specific offer.
Available volume, price basis, payment structure and inspection options are reviewed against the buyer, supplier and transaction requirements.
Packing, labelling, palletisation, Incoterm, shipment window and destination are aligned around the selected route. Booking, loading and shipment milestones then follow the confirmed programme.
Sugar key facts
A current view of the scale and origin structure shaping international sugar supply.
Global production
USDA FAS forecasts global sugar production at 184.9 million metric tons, raw value, in 2026/27.
Brazil’s export scale
Brazil remains the leading sugar exporter, with 33.6 million metric tons, raw value, forecast for 2026/27.
Beet sugar’s global role
The European Commission estimates that beet sugar represents about 20% of world production, while cane sugar accounts for the other 80%.
Sugar FAQs
Common questions about ICUMSA grades, cane and beet sugar, quality specifications, packing and bulk shipment options.
ICUMSA 45 is a refined white cane sugar. ICUMSA 150 is a white crystal cane sugar with a higher colour value. VHP is a less refined raw cane sugar mainly used for refining and industrial processing.
Related categories
Continue exploring product families that may fit the same sourcing programme.
For sugar enquiries
Contact A3 to discuss product grade, packing, volume and destination requirements.