Sugar Icumsa - Technical Analysis

Refined Sugar ICUMSA 45: The Global Purity Benchmark

In the sugar trade, ICUMSA (International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis) is the universal benchmark for crystals. WorldwideTradeX supplies White Refined Sugar ICUMSA 45 (Brazil Origin), the highest purity standard traded globally.

Table of Contents

  1. The ICUMSA Scale: Measuring Purity
  2. Polarization: Sucrose Concentration
  3. Logistics: Bulk Carrier Protection
  4. Technical Specifications Table


1. The ICUMSA Scale: Measuring Color & Purity

ICUMSA measures the Color of sugar in solution. The lower the number, the whiter and more refined the crystal.

  • ICUMSA 45: Sparkling White (Highly Refined). Direct consumption and beverage industry grade.

  • ICUMSA 150: Less Refined (Plantation White).

  • ICUMSA 600-1200: Raw Sugar (VHP). Requires further refining.

2. Polarization: The Sweet Spot

Polarization refers to the sucrose content measured by polarimeter.

  • Purity Level: At ICUMSA 45, the sugar is 99.80% Pure Sucrose.

  • Physical State: Free-flowing, dry crystals with Max 0.04% moisture to prevent clumping during transit.

3. Logistics: Bulk Carrier Management

Shipping refined sugar in bulk requires moisture mitigation.

  • Vessel Standards: We charter vessels with modern ventilation and ensure cargo is protected with Polyethylene (PE) liners or loaded in Jumbo Bags (1.5 MT).

  • Sourcing: Primary sourcing from Santos, Brazil, directly from vetted tier-1 mills.

4. Technical Specifications: ICUMSA 45

ParameterSpecificationStandard
Polarization99.80% MinVHP Standard
Ash Content0.04% MaxLow Impurity
Moisture0.04% MaxHigh Dryness
ColorICUMSA 45RBU Max
RadiationNormal CertifiedGlobal Ops

Agro Knowledge Hub

Request High-Volume FCO | Corporate Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ICUMSA 45 and why is it the global standard for white sugar?

ICUMSA 45 refers to a color measurement of 45 ICUMSA units — the lower the number, the whiter and purer the sugar. It has a minimum polarization of 99.80% (pure sucrose) and maximum moisture of 0.04%. It is the benchmark for beverage, confectionery, and food manufacturing industries worldwide.

What is the difference between ICUMSA 45 and VHP raw sugar?

ICUMSA 45 is fully refined white crystal sugar ready for direct use. VHP (Very High Polarization) raw sugar has an ICUMSA value of 600–1200 and is brown sugar sent to refineries for further processing. VHP is primarily sourced from Brazil (Santos port) and is cheaper per MT.

What are standard payment terms for sugar in bulk transactions?

For first shipments, 100% advance or irrevocable LC is standard. For established buyers, 30% down payment with 70% against loading documents (BL + SGS + Health Certificate) is common. Transactions above 10,000 MT typically use DLC under UCP 600.

What ports are used for Brazilian sugar export?

Santos (São Paulo state) is the primary export hub for Brazilian sugar, handling the majority of global VHP and ICUMSA 45 volumes. Paranaguá is the secondary port. Both offer Panamax vessel compatibility for bulk loading.