Looking Back. Looking Ahead

Ten years ago, Sugaright was just beginning to ask the food industry to “change the way they think about sugar” by using less processed darker colored liquid sugar in their products to reduce water and energy consumption.

As we reflect on that “ask”, we now realize that we were standing on the cusp of one of the most significant trends of the past decade:

A demand by consumers for sustainably produced food.

And now 10 years later, we are proud of what we have accomplished, but we also know that change is constant.

So what is next?

And how are we positioned to guarantee our customers don’t miss the next best thing? How does the past help us inform our future goals?

This year, the food and beverage space experienced a lot of change. From the plant-based protein movement and the growing cannabis segment to the struggles of the dairy sector, the industry is trying to adapt to rapidly changing consumer demands.

Sustainability continues to be a big driver, with more consumers rushing for plant-based products and companies turning to reusable packaging and regenerative agriculture. The topic has deep roots thanks to a growing global population, a rise in income leading to people to eat higher on the food chain, the recognition that hundreds of millions working at the ends of agricultural supply chains lack a living wage, and growing concerns about the impact of climate change on ag — and of ag on the climate.

Do we need to look any further than the U.S. sugar cane industry to see the impact of adverse weather conditions on supply?

Rain and snow pelted crops in September and October. That was followed by a blizzard, and then warm temperatures that left fields a boggy mess. Next came a deep freeze, ruining the underground sugar beet crop.

Big Food companies are making more commitments to sustainable and traceable sourcing, supported by Big Data. In the decade to come we will see more food companies experimenting with different models for motivating growers to adopt new sustainable farming practices to prevent deforestation and promote biodiversity.

As we learned a decade ago, when food companies respond quickly and well to changes in consumer preferences, all partners succeed.

Sugaright depends on both its customer AND its suppliers to achieve these future goals. And so we are always looking for partners who seek to increase both the supply and demand of sustainably and ethically sourced sugar.