With a view to maximising revenue for the Mauritian sugar industry and adding value to its products, a diversification program within the sector has been adopted during the last two decades concerning the optimal use of sugar and its co-products, mainly electricity, molasses which is used to produce alcohol, perfumes, liquors and spirits (“rhum agricole”), special sugars and ethanol.

It should however be mentioned that the production of raw sugar for refining on export markets remains the focal activity of the Mauritian sugar industry and is of utmost importance for its viability.

More info

1. "Sucre et ethanol: nos compétiteurs restent les mêmes" Présentée comme une diversification d’avenir, l’industrie de l’éthanol risque de buter sur les mêmes écueils. Pour la MSPA, il s’agit d’évoluer dans un cadre clair vu la complexité du secteur. (Interview de P. Legris, Directeur de la Mauritius Sugar Producers' Association, l'Express du 21/9/05)
2. Inauguration d'une nouvelle distillerie: Quand le thé et le rhum font bon ménage (l'Express, 4/12/03)
3. Innovation: the case of special sugars (presented at the Symposium on agriculture, 29-31 october 2003)