- Commodity revenue increased by 23.5%
- Increment attributed in EWADE 2023/24 annual report
Mbabane – According to EWADE 2023/24 annual report, sugar cane revenue increased by E153.025 million, and this translates to 23.5 per cent increment.
The increase is from E651.75 million in 2022/23 to E804.775 million in 2023/24. According to the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE), this was attributed to the improved sugar prices, which recorded E6.420 per tonne in 2023/24 compared to E5.200 per tonne in 2022/23. However, gross revenue from diversified agribusinesses during this reporting period was E9.343 million, representing a 38.8 per cent decline from the E15.26 million reported in 2022/2023. This decrease was attributed to financial difficulties faced by the farmer companies, which hindered their ability to purchase inputs such as fertilisers.
On average, the area harvested increased due to the introduction of new farms under LUSIP II, which contributed a total area of 172.8ha harvested during this reporting period. EWADE’s projects contributed 16.9 per cent (9 938.17 hectares) to the national sugarcane industry during the reporting period, marking a 2 per cent increase from the previous year. The Eswatini Sugar Association (ESA) reported a total of 58 840 hectares dedicated to sugarcane cultivation in the country.
The harvested tonnage declined from 911774 (2022/23) to 897218.34 (2023/24) due to reduced radiation and fewer sunshine hours, which negatively impacted photosynthesis and led to lower average yields. Additionally, an Eldana infestation and lodger in the dominant variety (N36) further contributed to the relodging output. Moreover, under LUSIP I, sugarcane was harvested at 10-11 months during the 2023/24 season, rather than the standard 12 months, leading to lower tons per hectare (TCH).
In the previous 2022/23 season, harvesting was completed in January 2024, shortening the growing period for the next season. At KDDP, the crop was harvested at an average age of 11.6 months, down from 12.5 months in the prior year. EWADE contributed 17.4 per cent to the total sugar cane crushed in the Eswatini industry, which amounted to 5 153 119 tonnes, according to the ESA 2024 Integrated Annual Report.
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