Oman nears launch of first sugar refinery at Sohar Port to boost local production
The new Sohar refinery will mark Oman’s entry into domestic sugar production, aiming to reduce dependence on imports.
OMAN – Oman is preparing to begin operations at its first-ever sugar refinery located at Sohar Port and Freezone, signaling a major step toward producing commercial white sugar domestically and cutting its reliance on imports.
The advanced facility, built with German technology, is in the final stages of commissioning by engineering firm BMA, which confirmed that preparations for full-scale operations are almost complete.
“Right now, a team of BMA engineers and technicians is on site to support the commissioning of the Oman Sugar Refinery. The project started in 2021, and we are now on the finish line,” the Brunswick-based company said in a statement.
The Oman Sugar Refinery is primarily funded by Omani investor Nasser bin Ali Al Hosni, who also operates sugar manufacturing plants in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Once operational, the Sohar plant will have a daily production capacity of 3,000 tonnes of refined white sugar.
In readiness for production, the refinery received its first shipment of raw sugar, approximately 90,000 tonnes, from Brazil in August.
BMA has been involved in the project since 2019, initially handling basic and detailed engineering. In May 2021, the company was awarded a contract to supply major processing equipment and oversee the assembly and commissioning phases.
The supplied systems include juice purification units, evaporators, batch and vertical vacuum pans, centrifugals, pumps, slurry mills, drying and cooling equipment, and full automation software and hardware.
According to BMA, the refinery is designed to achieve low energy consumption, high sugar yield, and efficient operation, all while meeting strict environmental and quality standards.
One of the standout features of the new refinery complex is its 46-metre-tall DomeSilo, a dome-shaped structure engineered by U.S.-based Dome Technology.
With a 38-metre diameter and 30,000-metric-tonne capacity, the DomeSilo enables integrated storage, bagging, and export operations within a compact footprint, reducing the need for multiple large warehouses.
The completion of the Oman Sugar Refinery represents a significant milestone for the country’s industrial diversification efforts and is expected to strengthen its position as a regional player in the sugar industry.
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