MBABANE – Ubombo Sugar Limited has officially kicked off the 2026/27 crushing season while advancing a transformative E1.2 billion factory debottlenecking project.
The company confirmed this week that it is in the process of hot commissioning the first phase of the upgrade, which includes key components such as a diffuser, hilo crane and cross conveyor.
The E1.2 billion investment is designed to eliminate production bottlenecks within the milling process, enabling smoother operations and enhanced throughput.
The start of the crushing season follows months of intensive off-crop maintenance, with technical teams working to ensure that the factory is fully prepared for safe, reliable and efficient operations.
“As the first cane enters the factory, we do so with renewed energy, solid teamwork and a shared commitment to safety, excellence and continuous improvement,” the company said.
The dual milestone of launching the crushing season while implementing a large-scale capital project stresses Ubombo Sugar’s strategic focus on modernising operations in an increasingly competitive and volatile global sugar market.
Ubombo Sugar remains a cornerstone of Eswatini’s agro-industrial sector, playing a critical role in export earnings, employment creation and rural economic development.
The company’s continued investment in infrastructure is seen as vital not only for its own sustainability, but also for the resilience of the broader sugar value chain.
It has been noted that factory optimisation projects such as debottlenecking are essential in maintaining competitiveness, particularly as producers contend with fluctuating global sugar prices, rising production costs and evolving trade dynamics.
Beyond sugar production, the company is also emerging as a key player in Eswatini’s energy transition.
In a landmark development, Ubombo Sugar recently signed a 40 megawatt (MW) Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Eswatini Electricity Company, marking a major step forward in the country’s push towards energy security and sustainability.
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The 2026/27 crushing season is officially underway at Ubombo Sugar Limited. (Courtesy pics)