Diversification: unlocking the full potential of cane stalk

FOR MORE THAN 150 years, the South African sugar industry has been growing sugar cane and has been a consistent supplier of sugar and molasses in the region, contributing to economic growth and providing job creation opportunities in the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. The industry has, however, faced ongoing challenges that have threatened its sustainability, ranging from natural phenomena through droughts and floods, regional challenges such as increased input costs and civil unrest, and industry-specific challenges which include sugar imports, the insufficient tariff and the implementation of the devastating Health Promotion Levy (commonly known as sugar tax). The levy has had a deleterious impact on the industry, resulting in multi-billion-rand revenue loss, substantial job losses and the permanent closure of two mills (Darnall and Umzimkulu), both located in…