Sugar glossary

For longer explainers, see what an ICUMSA grade is and the export FAQ.

ICUMSA

The International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis. In trade, “ICUMSA” usually refers to a colour grade of sugar: a lower number indicates a whiter, more highly refined crystal.

ICUMSA 45

A highly refined white sugar grade specified by many food and beverage manufacturers. It is among the whitest commercial cane sugars commonly offered for export.

ICUMSA 100-150

A refined sugar colour range above ICUMSA 45. It is still a refined product, but the crystal is less brilliant white than ICUMSA 45.

Refined white sugar

Cane sugar that has been processed after raw sugar production to remove remaining colour and impurities, yielding a white crystal suitable for food manufacturing and table use.

Raw sugar

Sugar after milling and crystallisation but before full refining. It is typically golden or brown and is an intermediate for refineries rather than a finished white food-grade crystal.

Polarity

A laboratory measure of sucrose content, often expressed in degrees. Higher polarity indicates a higher sucrose percentage in the sample.

FOB

Free On Board — an Incoterm where the seller delivers the goods on board the vessel at the named port of shipment. Freight and insurance after that point are typically the buyer’s responsibility.

CIF

Cost, Insurance and Freight — an Incoterm where the seller arranges carriage and insurance to the named destination port, with risk transferring under the CIF rules at shipment.

MOQ

Minimum order quantity. For export sugar this is usually expressed in metric tons or container loads, agreed in the contract rather than as a website list price.

Incoterms

Standard trade terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce that allocate cost and risk between buyer and seller (for example FOB, CIF, EXW, CNF).

Certificate of origin

A trade document stating the country where the goods were produced. Buyers often need it for customs clearance and preferential tariff claims.

Jumbo bag / FIBC

A flexible intermediate bulk container, typically 500–1,250 kg, used for industrial sugar deliveries when 50 kg bags are not specified.