Growing of sugar cane

NACE code 01.14 covers the growing of sugar cane, a crucial agricultural activity that plays a significant role in the global economy. Sugar cane is a tall, perennial grass cultivated primarily for its sucrose content, which is extracted and refined into sugar - a widely used sweetener and ingredient in various food and beverage products. The sugar cane industry is a major contributor to the agricultural sector, providing employment and economic opportunities in many countries around the world.

The production of sugar cane involves several key steps. First, the cane is planted, either from seed or from vegetative parts of the plant known as 'setts'. The cane is then cultivated, with regular irrigation, fertilization, and pest management practices to ensure optimal growth. Once the cane has reached maturity, typically after 12-24 months, it is harvested, either manually or using specialized machinery. The harvested cane is then transported to sugar mills or refineries, where the sucrose is extracted and processed into various sugar products.

The sugar cane industry requires several key inputs for successful production. These include fertile agricultural land, water for irrigation, and suitable climatic conditions, such as warm temperatures and adequate rainfall. Additionally, the industry relies on specialized farm equipment, such as tractors, harvesters, and transportation vehicles, as well as inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, and fuel. The sugar cane processing facilities also require significant capital investment in machinery and infrastructure for the extraction and refining of the sucrose.

The primary output of the sugar cane industry is refined sugar, which is then used as a sweetener in a wide range of food and beverage products. The industry also produces other valuable by-products, such as molasses, bagasse (the fibrous residue left after the extraction of sucrose), and ethanol, which can be used as a biofuel. These by-products are often utilized by other industries, such as 10.89 Manufacture of other food products n.e.c. and 19.20 Manufacture of refined petroleum products.