Sugars; molasses, from sugar cane, resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar

HS code 170310 covers the production and trade of sugars and molasses derived from sugar cane. This industry is a crucial component of the global food and beverage supply chain, providing essential sweeteners and ingredients for a wide range of consumer products. As a major agricultural commodity, the production and export of sugar cane-based products play a significant role in the economies of many countries, particularly those with favorable climates for sugar cane cultivation.

The production of sugars and molasses under HS code 170310 involves the extraction and refining of sugar cane. The primary steps include harvesting the sugar cane, crushing or milling the cane to extract the sugar juice, and then processing the juice through various stages of clarification, evaporation, and crystallization to produce raw sugar. The remaining molasses is a byproduct of this process. Refineries may further process the raw sugar to produce white, refined sugar and other specialty sugar products.

The main inputs required for the production of sugars and molasses under HS code 170310 include sugar cane as the primary raw material, as well as water, energy sources (such as coal or natural gas), and specialized machinery for the extraction, processing, and refining stages. Skilled labor, transportation infrastructure, and access to export markets are also critical inputs for this industry.

The primary outputs of the industry covered by HS code 170310 are raw sugar, refined white sugar, and various grades of molasses. These products are then consumed by a wide range of industries, including 170199 Sugars; cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form, 170211 Sugars; lactose and lactose syrup, containing by weight 99% or more lactose, expressed as anhydrous lactose, calculated on the dry matter, and 170490 (Sugar confectionery (including white chocolate), not containing cocoa).