According to a preliminary report published on Tuesday, Hurricane Ida has negatively impacted approximately 118,000 acres of sugarcane crops in Louisiana, which is about 48,000 hectares, representing around 26% of the total state's crop, as reported by Reuters.
Based on a forecast by the Louisiana State University (LSU) and the Sugar League industry group, crop losses in the hurricane-affected area are estimated to range from 16% to 29%.
Louisiana is the second largest sugarcane producer in the United States after Florida. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, sugarcane-derived sugar accounts for approximately 43% of the total sugar produced in the country, with the rest coming from sugar beets processing.
However, the report indicates that the infrastructure of the mills was not significantly damaged, and no delays are expected in the start of the processing season, which will begin in a few weeks.
Based on current sugar prices, researchers forecast losses in the state's sugar sector amounting to $59 million, considering field losses and reduced sugar production.