Sugar

Global Highlights

LDC is a global leader in raw and refined sugar origination, merchandizing and marketing, and among the largest sugar refiners and distributors in the US

Top 4

We are one of the world’s top 4 sugar merchandizers, transporting and marketing raw and white sugar to key consumer markets

Worldwide Assets

Our facilities include 3 processing assets in China and the US, and a storage site in Russia

Bonsucro-certified

We supply customers in the EU, US and Canada with Bonsucro-certified sugar

About Sugar

Sugar is a caloric concentrated commodity produced from sugarcane or sugar beets. Sugarcane grows best in tropical areas, as it demands large quantities of sunshine and water, whereas sugar beet is produced in temperate zones.

South America and Asia dominate sugar exports. Brazil is by far the largest potential producer and exporter, but might choose to maximize ethanol production in a low sugar price environment, making global supply highly flexible.

The largest importers are China, Indonesia, the Middle East, the Black Sea region and Africa.

As both large producers and consumers, India and the EU swing from net exporters to net importers, depending on local production conditions, and have a significant influence on the world market.

Our Sugar Value Chain

Each of our business lines is integrating further across the five steps of our value chain, as we respond to the need for a traceable and responsible supply line from farmer to consumer

01Originate & Produce

We share our expertise with farmers and producers worldwide, ourselves or with business partners and expert organizations, as part of our commitment to responsible, sustainable and traceable supply chains

02Process & Refine

Once bought or harvested, we bring crops to our assets for the next stage in their journey. These are ethically and sustainably processed and refined, coming one step closer to the consumer

03Store & Transport

Our strategically located network of silos, warehouses, transloading facilities and ports allows us facilitate access to market for local farmers around the globe and enable us to control costs and mitigate risk throughout the product journey

04Research & Merchandize

Our depth of marketing and merchandizing experience is our greatest strength. All our platforms and regions rely on our market knowledge to ensure responsive supply

05Customize & Distribute

We supply products to a wide range of customers, from large multinationals to local manufacturers and retailers

01Originate & Produce

02Process & Refine

Once bought or harvested, we bring crops to our assets for the next stage in their journey. These are ethically and sustainably processed and refined, coming one step closer to the consumer

03Store & Transport

04Research & Merchandize

Our depth of marketing and merchandizing experience is our greatest strength. All our platforms and regions rely on our market knowledge to ensure responsive supply

05Customize & Distribute

We supply products to a wide range of customers, from large multinationals to local manufacturers and retailers

Our Strengths in India

LDC’s Sugar Platform started its activities in India in 1999, when it began importing sugar into the country, and expanded its activities to trading over the following year.

Today, LDC has established itself as one of India’s most trusted names in sugar trading, through regular participation in international flows to and from the country.

We source sugar for export from mills in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. We supply raw sugar and purchase refined sugar from coastal toll refineries.

Our merchandizing activity is backed by global research capabilities which enable us to respond to evolving business conditions and customer needs with agility.

Committed to Sustainability

We support Bonsucro’s efforts to increase the adoption of its standards and practices for the responsible production of sugar.

All relevant LDC facilities and trading entities are Bonsucro-certified and, since we do not grow sugar ourselves, we take steps to promote the organization to our suppliers and to merchandize Bonsucro-certified sugar wherever possible.

Discover more about sustainability at LDC