‘Plant had to close’

IRISH SUGAR profits will be hit by an EU sugar industry reform, even after closure of the Carlow plant cuts annual production costs by €6m to €7m.

“Whilst the initial reform proposals are likely to be modified, inevitable reductions in quota make the move to one manufacturing facility unavoidable,” said David Dilger, Chief Executive of Irish Sugar’s parent company, Greencore plc.

The company said it made political representations on the reforms, but will inevitably be more exposed to low cost competition, and it had to rationalise now, to survive as a competitive sugar processor.