S.Africa sugar output forecast unchanged at 2.18 mln tonnes

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's forecast of sugar output for 2009/10 was unchanged at 2.18 million tonnes in January, while its estimate of sugarcane output was lowered to 18.655 million tonnes from 18.656 million tonnes, an industry association said on Friday.

The South African Sugar Association (SASA), which represents producers and millers of the sweetener in Africa's biggest economy, said the forecasts were based on information received from farmers.

South Africa's sugarcane production fell by 400,000 tonnes to 19.3 million tonnes in the 2008/09 season, while sugar production in the year fell to 2.26 million tonnes, a decline of 13,000 tonnes compared with the year before.

The fall in output was mainly attributed to high input costs during the growing season, with farmers struggling to buy expensive fertiliser and herbicides.

source: reuters