What happened in 2009 to Mauritian sugar? A revolution! Even a tsunami!

It should be remembered that sugar cane cultivation has historically occupied up to 90% of arable land in Mauritius.

Under pressure from certain exporting countries, the guarantee of prices and quotas on the European market ended that year, paving the way for a profound reform of the sugar industry.

As a result of the resulting price cut, the sugar barons had to reconsider their position, which fortunately had anticipated the event.

This resulted in restructuring plans, factory closures with voluntary redundancy plans, to reduce costs and increase income.

But they also created 2 refineries to produce sugar according to European standards.

On the other hand, it was an opportunity to diversify the business by producing energy and ethanol from bagasse and molasses, derived from sugar cane.

Thus, thanks to continuous innovation in the cultivation of sugar cane and the manufacture of cane sugar, Mauritius has developed various unrefined special sugars since 1978.

In order to meet consumer requirements, and to make them more attractive to the most demanding customers, they are constantly updated and reinvented.

The sugar factories that produce these sugars are BRC (British Retail Consortium) certified.

These ingredients are thus used to improve the health, safety and added value of food products produced by Mauritian manufacturers.

You will find them in cereals, dairy products, dry bakery mixes, drinks, preserves and jellies, ethnic cuisine, snacks, biscuits and baby food.

For hundreds of years, sugar has been the currency of Mauritius: flashback...

The first sugar refineries on the Ile de France were founded in the 18th century, under the leadership of the French governor Mahé de La Bourdonnais.

Sugar remained for several centuries the main economic activity of the island, which in the 19th century had more than 250 refineries!

The island's economy has now diversified, but sugar remains one of the main export products, as shown by the vast sugar cane fields that cover the island.

In this extremely competitive sector, which brand has been able to come out on top?

This is what you will discover...