At Eswatini Sugar, sustainability is not simply a compliance requirement — it is a key component of our business strategy and the cornerstone of our long-term shared value model. As the marketing and regulatory body for Eswatini’s sugar industry, we recognise that our commercial success is inseparably linked to the prosperity of our growers, the well-being of surrounding communities, and the health of our natural environment.
From independent smallholder schemes to large-scale milling operations, our sustainability approach focuses on three interconnected priorities: driving inclusive economic growth, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring that every tonne of sugar produced in Eswatini meets the highest international standards of quality, ethics, and responsibility.
To translate this commitment into measurable action, Eswatini Sugar aligns its supply chain with leading global certification and verification frameworks. These standards provide the structure for full traceability, continuous improvement, and credible assurance to our customers worldwide.
Eswatini made history in July 2025 by becoming the first country in Mainland Africa to achieve certification under the Bonsucro Production Standard and Chain of Custody Standards, for Tambankulu Estates, and RES Simunye Mill. Eswatini Sugar itself is certified under the Bonsucro Chain of Custody Standard.
Bonsucro is a rigorous, metric-based global standard that drives continuous improvement in sugarcane production. Through compliance with its criteria, the Eswatini sugar industry demonstrates responsible land use, efficient water management, fair labour practices, and measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Certification provides international buyers with independent assurance that volumes are produced ethically and sustainably, opening access to premium markets.
From independent smallholder schemes to large-scale milling operations, our sustainability approach focuses on three interconnected priorities: driving inclusive economic growth, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring that every tonne of sugar produced in Eswatini meets the highest international standards of quality, ethics, and responsibility.
To translate this commitment into measurable action, Eswatini Sugar aligns its supply chain with leading global certification and verification frameworks. These standards provide the structure for full traceability, continuous improvement, and credible assurance to our customers worldwide.
Â
Empowering small-scale growers and supporting rural community development remain central to our Fairtrade commitments. In partnership with Fairtrade Africa, Eswatini Sugar supports 27 smallholder grower schemes in adopting sustainable agricultural practices while receiving Fairtrade Premiums.
Eswatini Sugar is certified under the Fairtrade Trader Standard. Premium funds are reinvested by certified grower organisations into community infrastructure, clean water access, solar-powered irrigation, and climate resilience initiatives. With support from Fairtrade International, the industry is also implementing a Carbon and Water Footprint Reduction Project. Through Fairtrade, smallholder producers remain competitive, resilient, and integral to the national economy.
Developed by the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform, the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating and improving on-farm sustainability performance.
Ubombo Sugar Limited, a key industry partner, currently holds a Silver rating under the FSA. The framework is being progressively expanded to independent outgrower groups. By addressing critical areas such as soil health, nutrient management, crop protection, and biodiversity, the FSA enables farms to benchmark against global food and beverage industry expectations and drive continuous improvement at field level.
Supply chain transparency and ethical business conduct are fundamental to how Eswatini Sugar operates. Through SMETA audits, our supply partners undergo independent evaluation across four key pillars: labour standards, health and safety, environmental management, and business ethics.
SMETA verification provides international customers and brand owners with confidence that Eswatini sugar is produced under fair, safe, and legally compliant conditions that respect human rights throughout the value chain.
ProTerra verification further strengthens our commitment to non-GMO integrity, environmental protection, and social responsibility. ProTerra verification audits focus on labour law compliance, land use rights, biodiversity conservation, pollution and waste management, protection of water resources, greenhouse gases and energy management,and adoption of good agricultural practices.
By adhering to ProTerra principles, the industry maintains strict traceability from farm to market and meets the expectations of environmentally and socially conscious consumers and manufacturers.
By integrating these five complementary standards into a unified sustainability strategy, Eswatini Sugar continues to secure long-term market access, protect the Eswatini’s natural resources, and generate lasting shared value for our members, communities, and the nation as a whole.
