Louisiana sugar cane crops to produce 2-million tons of sugar

An agriculture expert says this year’s Louisiana sugarcane crop had great growing conditions although Hurricane Francine’s strong winds damaged some crops. An estimated two million tons of sugar is expected to be produced from this year’s crops. “Acreage increased again in 2024 and was reported at just over 536,000 acres by the USDA Farm Service Agency,” said LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Production Specialist Kenneth Gravois.

By: Allison Bruhl

Gravois said crops had “nearly ideal growing conditions” despite the northern part of the state having dryness over the summer. He said the crop had more rainfall compared to 2023 when the state experienced an extreme drought.

Sugarcane crops didn’t go without having some challenges from the weather. Gravois said Hurricane Francine hitting Louisiana affected sugarcane growing in southeastern-most parishes. Damage to crops included crops falling over and some root breakage causing some leaves to die, which Gravois said negatively affects sucrose accumulation in the stalks.

“Sugar recovery in these areas is below normal. Cane tonnage per acre of production is good, which can offset some sugar recovery losses,” said Gravois.

Jim Simon, the general manager of the American Sugar Cane League, said sugar producers and processors still expect to have a good harvest season with strong production while some parts of the state are feeling the effects of Francine.

The sugarcane harvest season started on Sept. 16 and should end by early to mid-January. Gravois said crops are harvested and processed seven days a week during this time because of the threat of freezes in the colder part of the year. He explained that freezes can cause juice from the stalk to deteriorate and once that happens, raw sugar factories can no longer produce sugar.

Gravois said the state’s sugarcane crop will be worth around $1.5 billion at the farm and raw sugar factory level.

According to the American Sugar Cane League, Louisiana is the oldest and most historic sugar-producing place in the U.S. Some parishes near Baton Rouge producing sugarcane are Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge, Ascension and Iberville.