Sugar production -Tanzania

Sugar is a sweet crystalline substance, which may be derived from the juices of various plants. Chemically, the basis of sugar is sucrose, one of a group of soluble carbohydrates, which are important dietary sources of energy in the human diet. It can be obtained from trees, including the maple and certain palms, but virtually all manufactured sugar comes from two plants sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and sugar cane, a giant perennial grass of the genus Saccharum. Sugar cane, found in tropical areas, grows to a height of up to 5 metres or more In Tanzania sugar is produced from Sugar cane. Sugar cane in Tanzania is primarily grown in four estates, namely Kilombero Sugar Company, Mtibwa Sugar Estate, Tanganyika Planting Company and Kagera Sugar Limited. Apart from sugar cane grown by the estates, other sugar cane is grown by out growers who are found at Kilombero and Mtibwa estates and there contribution has gradually increased in recent years. In general the annual sugar production in Tanzania is about 115,000 tonnes per annum while the estimated demand of sugar is estimated at 300,000 tonnes. Tanzania imports about 200,000 tonnes per annum to offset the shortfall. Sugar Production