British Sugar targets Irish market as future of domestic industry in doubt

BRITISH Sugar made it clear yesterday that it hopes to sell sugar to Ireland and southern European countries that are expected to slash domestic output after European Union reforms.

The intention did not come as a surprise, but some sources in the industry here felt the declaration was insensitive as no decision has been taken about the future of Ireland's sole remaining sugar processing plant in Mallow, Co Cork.

Chris Carter, corporate affairs director with British Sugar, a unit of Associated British Foods, said that by the end of 2007, four million tonnes of production will come out of Europe.