Maragra Açúcar, located in Manhiça, Maputo province, could resume operations in 2026 and, to this end, is currently rehabilitating the areas affected by the floods that devastated the entire plantation in 2022.
“According to the information available, the company could have its first campaign in 2026 and, given these prospects, the rehabilitation of some areas is underway to reinforce the protection of the cane fields,” explained the mayor of Manhiça, Alexandre Munguambe.
He revealed that the company suffered major losses during the 2022-23 rainy season and that, in addition to the plantations, the irrigation systems, electricity supply, drainage and other equipment were damaged.
However, in order to respond to the damage and complete the rehabilitation, “Maragra estimates that 100 million dollars will be invested to guarantee the maintenance of the equipment, ensure the production cycle and the functioning of the sugar mill’s business machine,” he added.
In January, national sugar producers guaranteed that the production stoppage at Maragra Açúcar is not affecting market supply, guaranteeing that there is enough “stock” to meet domestic and export needs.
“There is no shortage of sugar on the market, there is more than enough product. Although Maragra Açúcar is of great importance, there are other producers such as the Xinavane and Mafambisse factories, which are still committed to supplying the market at all levels,” said the executive director of the Mozambican Sugar Producers Association, Orlando da Conceição.
Maragra Açúcar is located in the district of Manhiça, 80 kilometres north of Maputo province, and produces 80,000 tonnes of sugar a year from more than 460,000 tonnes of sugar cane, also grown on its properties. It is 99 per cent owned by Ilovo, a South African group present in six southern African countries, and 1 per cent by another investor.
