Some 100,000 hectares of land (about 250,000 acres) grows sugarcane in Taiwan. Thirty per cent of the cane needed by the sugar industry is provided by Taiwan Sugar Corporation's own farms. The rest comes from individual sugarcane farmers. Each year the Corporation signs contracts with 120,000 farmers. The farmers receive 55% of the refined sugar from their crops and the Corporation 45%. The Corporation provides loans, subsidies, and technical assistance to improve sugarcane farmers' income and lives, and to stimulate production in one of the Republic of China's greatest industries.
Taisugar Annual Production: 800,000 To 900,000 Tons.
Annual Total Exports: US$410 million.
Sugar production has been closely related to Taiwan's economy and economic development. From 1946 to 1964, sugar was the leading export. Taiwan Sugar Corporation, a government enterprise that is responsible for all the production of sugar in the Republic of China, also has contributed to the improvement of agricultural production techniques and farm mechanization. The annual production of refined sugar is between 800,000 and 900,000 metric tons. Annual exports are 500,000 to 600,000 metric tons. When sugar was in strong demand in the fiscal year of 1975, the total export brought in US$410 million. Taiwan Sugar Corporation continues to improve the techniques of growing sugar cane and producing refined sugar. It is also engaged in various other types of related enterprise to make full use of one of the nation's major crops.
Preparing the sugarcane field.
Planting is now done by machine.
Cutting the towering cane stalks.
Sugarcane farmers learn cultivation techniques from sugar factory technicians.
Taiwan Sugar Corporation's Bulk Terminal at Kaohsiung Harbor.
Using radioisotopes for research on sugarcane fertilization.
Processing Control room in a sugar factory.
Processing machines for refined sugar.
TSC uses a total quality control system.
TSC's sugar products for export to the world over.
Quality sugar in large bags, after careful inspection.