Venezuelan sugar growers seek import suspension to protect domestic market

Sugar cane growers in central Venezuela are calling on the national government to suspend the importation of refined sugar. Luis Pérez, president of the regional association, stated that imports create unfair competition and enter the market without paying tariffs or taxes. Currently, 60% of the country's sugar is produced by independent growers, while 40% comes from national sugar mills.

Growers report that 110,000 tons of cane remain in stock from the 2025-2026 harvest, making imports unnecessary and harmful to domestic inventory placement. In the state of Portuguesa, Governor Primitivo Cedeño noted that the Las Majaguas mill holds over 13,000 tons of sugar and 25,000 tons of molasses due to slow sales and unfavorable prices caused by imported competition. The next harvest is scheduled to begin in December, with a milling goal of 800,000 tons.