What is Brazilian VHP Sugar?
Brazilian VHP Sugar is one of the most sought-after raw sugar exports in the world. The VHP stands for Very High Polarization, and its specifications are typically for polarization between 99° to 99.49°. It is produced by millers from sugarcane grown in Brazil's sugar heartlands in the Center-South and North Northeast regions.
VHP sugar has high sucrose content and its light brown sugar crystals are simpler to refine into white sugar than other raw sugars. Destinations for Brazilian VHP sugar include the Middle East, North Africa, Indonesia, and China, to name but a few.
Over the past five years, Brazil has produced an average of 33 million tons of sugar each year, or almost 20% of total global volumes. Its annual exports of raw sugar have averaged almost 22 million tons.
S&P Global Commodity Insights publishes two Platts VHP assessments covering the Center-South and North Northeast regions. Platts Brazil VHP CS sugar is for prompt shipments on a FOB basis from Santos, the sugar capital of Brazil's Center-South. The region produces most of Brazil's raw sugar, with an active market for spot trading all-year round. Platts Brazil VHP NNE is the other raw sugar assessment, and is basis FOB Maceio.
S&P Global Commodity Insights publishes a range of other raw and white sugar assessments tailored to specific markets in Brazil, Thailand and Europe that are used by the industry to manage risk in an integral agricultural market.