Olam’s sugar business began in 1995 with the import of our first consignment into Nigeria and Ghana, where we already had a widespread procurement network and infrastructure from our agri-product origination operations. Leveraging these capabilities and warehousing, we were able to ensure sugar provision to customers close to the point of sale and consumption.

The knowledge and experience we developed in Ghana and Nigeria were vital in helping us extend our sugar distribution business into other African countries including Uganda and Madagascar. In 2000, we extended our business scope for further, starting origination operations in Thailand and Brazil. More recently we commenced direct sugar marketing operations in Russia. This has not only facilitated larger participation in our trade flows, but has also increased our value appropriation.