Sweet as Molasses, Smooth as Rum

Footnote: 2014 is the latest year available for domestic molasses production data from FAO.

Protected sugar producers like Jamaica are scrambling for new markets before the EU’s sugar production quotas expire on Sept. 30, 2017. EU sugar imports from Jamaica are expected to wither after protections are removed. The government has proposed sugar-based ethanol as an alternative, but production has been slow to take off. On the other hand, domestic molasses production soared by roughly 45% between 2009 and 2014. Jamaica’s sugar cane and molasses production could also benefit from the untapped market potential of premium rums.