South African sugar cane production has declined by more than 16.3% during the 2015/2016 season, according to the South African Cane Growers Association (SACGA).
The usual season average production is 19.9 million tonnes, but this season has seen a yield of only 14.81-million tonnes.
“Drought activities dominated the 2015/2016 season,” said a spokesperson for the South African Cane Growers Association (SACGA). “The full impact of the drought is reflected in the decline of the crop to 14 861 401 million tonnes of cane and the associated decline in grower proceeds to R7.072 billion. The impact of this decline has been felt throughout the KwaZulu Natal sugar belt .”
