Report on Techno-economic assessment of existing markets for sugars and industrial alcohols

Abstract

The use of cassava for the production of sugar syrups (maltodextrins) alcohols is one of the ways in contributing to the development of new markets opportunities for cassava farmers in rural Ghana. This will consequently increase the contribution that cassava makes to sustainable rural livelihoods. A survey for techno-economic assessment of existing markets for sugars and industrial alcohols in four regions of the country has been conducted. Out of seventy-three industries earmarked for the exercise, only twenty responded i.e. 27% of the targeted industries responded. The report is therefore based on the facts and figures obtained from the twenty industries. Industries involved in the survey ranged from large multinational industries. 70% of the industries have fluctuations in production level and can predict seasonal highs and lows. 82% of the industries have production and demand trends increasing over the past two years. Market liberalisation has adversely affected 76% of the industries. 1067 metric tonnes of sucrose, 109 metric tonnes of glucose, 50 metric tonnes of maltodextrin and 25 metric tonnes of caramel are used per annum. The average cost of sucrose is ¢ 1268/kg and represents between 6% to 50% of final cost of product. Over 750 metric tonnes of industrial alcohol are used per annum. The average cost of industrial alcohol is ¢ 6673/kg and represents 1% to 60% of final cost of product