Japanese sugar processors are calling on Thailand to up shipments of raw sugar.
Thai exporters have been cutting back on exports of raw sugar, focusing instead on processing more sugar at home and then exporting the finished product, for which they can command higher prices.
Japan imported just 300,000 tons of raw sugar this year compared with 700,000-1,000,000t in previous years. Sugar industry workers are at risk of losing their jobs if imports of raw sugar for processing do not rise, representatives of the Japanese sugar industry have warned.
Ruengsak Ngamsompak, secretary-general of the Thai Sugarcane and Sugar Committee, confirmed that Japan has requested Thailand to increase exports of raw sugar when he met with representatives of the Japanese sugar sector. The issue of raw sugar quality was also discussed, Ngamsompak reported.
