(Ecofin Agency) - In Mauritius, earnings from sugar production should grow by 25% this year from 8 billion rupees, in 2015, to 10 billion rupees. The increase will result from a good harvest and high prices for sugar.

“We believe that the ton of sugar will increase from 2015’s 13,166 rupees to 15,000 rupees this year. As for output, it should reach 400,000 tons against 366,000 tons last year,” said Devesh Dukhira who heads Mauritius’ sugar industry’s union.

Moreover, the island should benefit from global increase in sugar consumption paired with a sluggish production.

However, despite all these good points, the sector is still threatened by the European Union’s decision to abolish sugar quotas. “Though Europe will remain for us an interesting market, the industry will look for opportunities in other markets,” said Devesh Dukhira. This explains why the island for two years now, has been exporting the commodity to the African continent, benefiting from facilities in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

The sugar sector which in the past has supported the Mauritian economy now employs 12,000 people and generates 1.8% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Aaron Akinocho