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# [MAURITIUS] Omnicane turns 100 and launches liquid sugar: the cane industry reinvents itself
- URL: https://businessoi.media/en/maurice-omnicane-fete-100-ans-et-lance-la-production-de-sucre-liquide-lindustrie-canniere-se-reinvente-en/
- Published: 2026-07-17T02:58:18.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-17T02:58:18.000Z
- Description: Centenary and innovation: Omnicane launches liquid sugar production and reinforces its Sugar Hub concept. Specialty sugars now represent 60% of the Mauritian harvest.
- Author: Emmanuel TAOCHY
- Tags: Maurice, Économie, Revue matinale, #en

Mauritius's sugar industry is entering a new era. During the launch of the 2026 harvest campaign, Omnicane — the first company ever listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, in 1985 — celebrated its centenary and announced a series of innovations reshaping this historic sector.

## The Sugar Hub concept gains momentum

CEO Jacques D'Unienville confirmed the installation of a new liquid sugar production unit at the refinery, fed entirely by imported Brazilian raw sugar. The goal: process, refine, and re-export to regional markets, turning Mauritius into a genuine sugar hub for the Indian Ocean and Africa. Omnicane already ships around 30 containers per day and operates 365 days a year.

## Specialty sugars: the new backbone

The 2025 campaign, which produced 220,305 tonnes of sugar across 33,805 harvested hectares, confirms the rise of value-added products: specialty sugars now represent 60% of the harvest. Fairtrade-certified production reaches around 40% of the total, with a premium of USD 60 per tonne and untapped potential demand of 10,000 additional tonnes.

> We want to pass on to future generations a company that is even more innovative, responsible and sustainable. — Jacques D'Unienville, CEO Omnicane

## Premium rum for export markets

On the spirits front, the Major Philippe brand — launched last year after a rigorous ageing process — aims to position Mauritian rum in international premium markets. Omnicane already exports 3 to 4 million litres of rum per year.

## Why it matters

Global sugar prices fell to USD 475 per tonne in July 2025 (from USD 550 in 2024) and European prices dropped to 534 euros per tonne (from 775 in 2024). Faced with this pressure, diversification into liquid sugar, specialty sugars and bioenergy is a vital necessity. The government, which guarantees Rs 35,000 per tonne to small planters, has set a target of 250,000 tonnes of production within three years and aims for 60% renewable energy by 2035\. Omnicane, which already supplies 20% of the island's electricity via its thermal plant, sits at the heart of this transition.

*Sources: L'Express Maurice, allAfrica.com, Le Mauricien — July 2026*