Son La Sugar Corporation is investing in upgrading its sugar processing line to a stable capacity of 5,000 tons of sugarcane per day. It is projected that by 2025, the company will achieve a sugar production target of 78,500 tons.
Son La's sugarcane production has been increasing year by year.
After three years of implementing Resolution No. 06-NQ/TU dated January 21, 2021, of the Son La Provincial Party Committee on the development of agricultural processing industry in Son La province for the period 2021-2025, with orientation to 2030, Son La province has achieved many outstanding results. The value of industrial and agricultural processing production in the period 2021-2023 increased by an average of 8.45%; attracting investment in 11 large-scale agricultural processing projects, including: 7 projects granted new investment approval, and 4 projects currently under consideration for investment approval. In 2023, the value of agricultural products exported reached over 159 million USD, an increase of 6.42% compared to 2022.
Workers at Son La Sugar Corporation inspect the quality of sugar. Photo: Van Ngoc
As for sugarcane, Son La province currently has approximately 9,852 hectares under cultivation. The province continues to intensify cultivation and apply new varieties to increase productivity and improve the income of sugarcane farmers. Son La Sugarcane Joint Stock Company is investing in upgrading its sugar processing line to a stable capacity of 5,000 tons of sugarcane per day, while also utilizing bagasse from sugar production as raw material for its 9MW biomass power plant.
In 2023, sugar production reached 66,956.4 tons. The target for 2025 is 78,500 tons. Sugarcane sugar is primarily used as a raw material for processing plants, food production facilities, and for domestic consumption. In 2023, 7,850 tons of sugarcane sugar were exported, with an export value of US$3.8 million (accounting for 2.04% of the province's total export value in 2023).
Sugar products from Son La Sugar Corporation are displayed and promoted at the booths. Photo: Van Ngoc
Expand the area of sugarcane cultivation.
Mr. Tran Ngoc Hieu, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Son La Sugar Corporation, stated: "As an agro-industrial enterprise operating in a region facing numerous challenges, the company has achieved certain results in its production and business over the past years. This demonstrates that the company's efforts in building a linked raw material area along the value chain are entirely on the right track and have earned the trust and support of local authorities and sugarcane farmers."
Farmers in Son La province have a stable income from growing sugarcane. Photo: Van Ngoc
According to Mr. Tran Ngoc Hieu, in order to expand the area of sugarcane cultivation for the factory's production, the company has actively encouraged and signed investment and sugarcane purchase contracts with farmers. The company has widely implemented investment and development policies for the raw material area, including a floor price for sugarcane purchase, reassuring farmers that they know the minimum selling price of their product from the moment they sign the contract; supporting farmers in changing their crop structure; and supporting the cost of mechanization on sloping land.
The company strictly adheres to the terms of the contract (procurement, payment, etc.) and transfers sugarcane cultivation techniques to farmers. In recent years, the company has generated approximately 660 billion VND in revenue from sugarcane sales and services in the area, investing an average of 150 billion VND in raw material areas; providing advance payments of 70 billion VND from sugarcane sales; and supporting sugarcane growers with 30-45 billion VND.
In the coming period, Son La Sugar Corporation will focus on expanding its sugarcane raw material area. Photo: Van Ngoc
In addition, Son La Sugar Corporation is investing in in-depth, intensive farming to increase productivity, focusing on applying scientific and technological advancements to the fields, supporting the application of appropriate mechanized land preparation methods. Investment and testing are being conducted to find suitable sugarcane varieties to improve production efficiency. Investment in appropriate and effective fertilizers is also being made, with a focus on soil improvement.
Van Ngoc