World trade demands consign sugar industry to memory
It marks the end of the line for 330 jobs, many held by members of families who have been associated with the plant for two or even three generations of loyal service and dedication.
It is the end of a processing outlet for the produce of 3,700 farms, from which they derived a reliable annual income.
It is the end of the line in the sowing and harvesting of sugar beet for many agricultural contractors, who served the sector, and a blow to the hauliers who annually transported the beet to the factory.
It is the demise of an indigenous industry which has served agriculture and the State from the early years of the last century.
For many decades before a more sophisticated level of mechanisation became available in more recent years, farmers and farm labourers put a lot of toil and sweat into the sowing, growing and harvesting of the beet crop, the processing of which employed thousands at the Tuam, Thurles, Carlow and Mallow factories.
It was hard work on the farms, often in very difficult winter harvesting conditions.
But it was a good ‘cash crop’ which helped to rear many farm families during otherwise difficult times on the land.
The beet tops were utilised for livestock feed, and most of the dried pulp was purchased back by the farmers for animal feed.
The closure of Mallow in May will be the saddest day of all, leaving only bitter-sweet memories of the times that have been.
Another native industry has fallen victim to the cruel hand of world trade.
