Swazi Observer

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EWADE SUGARCANE REVENUE SURGES BY E153M

By Nomfanelo Maziya | 2024-12-16

The Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) has reported a significant increase in sugarcane revenue for the 2023/24 financial year which surged to E804.7 million.
This marks a 23 per cent increase from the previous year's E651.7 million.

This boost, according to the enterprise’s annual report 2023/24 can be attributed to improved sugar prices, which rose to E6 420 per ton compared to E5 200 per ton in the 2022/23 financial year.

However, EWADE's diversified agribusiness segment faced challenges.
The gross revenue from this sector declined by 38.8 per cent to E9.3 million from E15.2 million in the previous year.

This decrease was primarily attributed to financial difficulties faced by farmer companies, hindering their ability to purchase essential inputs like fertilizers.

Despite these challenges, EWADE's sugarcane projects continued to contribute significantly to the national sugarcane industry.

The enterprise's projects contributed 16.9 per cent (99 983.17 hectares) to the total sugarcane cultivated area, marking a two per cent increase from the previous year.

However, the overall sugarcane harvested tonnage declined from 911 774 tons in 2022/23 to 897 213 tons in 2023/24.

This decline was attributed to reduced radiation and fewer sunshine hours, which negatively impacted photosynthesis and led to lower average yields.

“Moreover LUSIP I, sugarcane was harvested at 10-11 months during the 2023/24 season, rather than the standard 12 months leading to lower tons per hectare,” reads the report.
In the previous 2022/23 season, harvesting was completed in January 2024, shortening the growing period for the next season.

Additionally, an Eldana infestation and lodging in the dominant N36 variety further contributed to the reduced output.

“At KDDP, the crop was harvested at an average age of 11.6 months, down from 12.5 months in the prior year,’ it reads.

EWADE's contribution to the total sugarcane crushed in Eswatini remained substantial at 17.4 per cent, amounting to 5 153 119 tonnes, according to the Eswatini Sugar Association's 2024 Integrated Annual Report.

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