Associated British Foods expands sugar production capacity in Eswatini
Associated British Foods advances its Eswatini growth strategy with a multi-phase expansion to boost sugar output and strengthen sustainability.
ESWATINI – Associated British Foods (ABF), the parent company of Ubombo Sugar Limited, has announced significant progress in its long-term growth strategy for Eswatini, supported by major investments to expand production capacity, enhance agricultural efficiency, and strengthen sustainability.
The company shared the update following a visit to its Ubombo operations and through a recent statement published on its corporate platform.
According to a report by Times of Eswatini, Ubombo Sugar plans to increase total sugar production by an estimated 47,000 tonnes annually within the next five years.
The growth will be driven by a two-phase factory debottlenecking programme that is currently underway.
The upgrades will enable the factory to process 20% more cane, positioning Ubombo to meet growing regional demand while maintaining resilience in an increasingly competitive sugar market.
ABF said the production increase will be supported by additional cane supply from the Lower Usuthu Smallholder Irrigation Project (LUSIP-II), a government-backed initiative expanding irrigation infrastructure to new areas.
Once completed, LUSIP-II will enable the development of approximately 4,000 hectares of smallholder sugarcane farms.
“The LUSIP expansion is an integral part of our long-term strategy,” ABF stated. “By increasing the number of local growers and improving access to irrigation, we are supporting the wider community while strengthening the security of our cane supply.”
The company added that the project will create employment opportunities, increase rural participation in the sugar value chain, and improve household incomes in surrounding communities.
Ubombo’s performance in recent years, ABF noted, has remained consistent with its broader strategy of promoting sustainable growth across its African sugar operations through continued investment in technology, infrastructure, and agricultural transformation.
To complement the expansion, Ubombo Sugar has implemented several agricultural upgrades to enhance crop yields and reduce environmental impact.
The estate has transitioned portions of its irrigation system from older sprinkler and furrow designs to modern, water-efficient systems supported by upgraded pumps and pipelines.
These upgrades form part of climate resilience measures, helping improve water management while safeguarding land and crop productivity.
ABF further highlighted that training and agricultural skills development are key elements of the investment.
Ubombo has launched training programmes to build local capacity in farm management, technology use, and sustainable practices, aligning with industry-wide efforts to ensure Eswatini’s sugar sector remains competitive amid climate and market challenges.
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