Sugar Expert Refutes Imported Sugar
Tuesday, 30 January, 2007 | 16:38 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Adig Suwandi, Deputy Secretary General of the Indonesian Sugar Experts Association, has estimated that no additional imported sugar is required this year.

The reason for this is that domestic products and imports are considered to be sufficient.

“I therefore think (no additional imported sugar is needed),” he told Tempo yesterday (01/29) in Jakarta.

As already reported, last week the government issued a permit to import an additional 250,000 tons of sugar.

This imported white crystal sugar is aimed at meeting the needs of national sugar and to anticipate any deficits due to a delay in the 2007 harvest season.

Adig explained that about 2.1 million tons sugar will be produced between the upcoming harvest season and the end of year.

In addition, monthly sugar consumption reaches 210,000 tons.

“If we were to import sugar, (it should be done) next year,” he said.

Although the estimation of other national sugar consumption will be only about 2.6 million tons, according to Adig, this can be met by importing raw sugar (instead of pure crystal).

“Imported raw sugar of 500 thousand tons can be processed together with national sugarcane in the upcoming harvest season,” he said.

RR ARIYANI