"There Are Enough Stocks Of Raw Sugar" - Sugar Producers
Local sugar producers have said there are enough stocks of raw sugar to satisfy demand despite the recent closure of one of the country’s biggest sugar refineries.
Gold Star, a subsidiary of Starafrica Corporation, closed its refinery in Harare early this week.
The company said the closure of the sugar refinery was in response to a sharp increase in raw sugar prices by its supplier, Tongaat Hulett.
In a joint statement on Thursday, Starafrica Corporation chairperson Rungano Mbire and Zimbabwe Sugar Sales (ZSS) chairperson Muchadeyi Masunda sought to allay fears of an imminent shortage of sugar. Part of the statement read:
There have been some market concerns about a possible shortage of sugar following the temporary closure of the country’s leading refinery.
We would like to assure our valued customers and the public that there are enough stocks of raw sugar in the country to satisfy the needs of the local market from now right up to the next milling season, which is scheduled to commence in April 2023.
