ICUMSA 45 vs ICUMSA 150: Which Grade Do You Need?

Two grades dominate Brazil's sugar export market: ICUMSA 45 and ICUMSA 150. They look similar in a brochure but serve entirely different purposes in the supply chain. Buying the wrong grade — even at a better price — can cost you significantly in re-processing, market rejection, or regulatory non-compliance.

This guide explains the technical differences, who buys each grade, and how to decide which is right for your operation.

What the ICUMSA Number Means

The ICUMSA number measures sugar color in Reference Unit units (RBU) — how much light a dissolved sugar solution absorbs. Lower numbers indicate purer, whiter sugar. The grading is set by the International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis, the global standards body for sugar testing.

ICUMSA 45 maximum color: 45 RBU. ICUMSA 150 range: approximately 150–200 RBU. The difference in color is visible to the naked eye — ICUMSA 45 is bright white, ICUMSA 150 is light amber or off-white.

ICUMSA 45 at a Glance

ICUMSA 45 is fully refined white cane sugar. It has been processed to remove all molasses, impurities, and color compounds. It is ready for direct human consumption, food manufacturing, beverage production, and pharmaceutical applications without any further processing.

• Color: Bright white (max 45 RBU)
• Polarization: Min 99.80°
• Moisture: Max 0.04%
• Process: Fully refined
• Ready to use: Yes — no further refining needed
• Port: Santos, Brazil

ICUMSA 150 (VHP) at a Glance

ICUMSA 150 is Very High Polarization (VHP) raw cane sugar. It is partially processed — molasses have been partially removed but the sugar retains residual color and impurities. It is not suitable for direct human consumption. It is an industrial input product, used primarily as feedstock for refineries that produce white sugar, or by industrial food manufacturers with their own refining capacity.

• Color: Light amber (150–200 RBU)
• Polarization: Min 99.30°
• Moisture: Max 0.15%
• Process: Partially refined (VHP)
• Ready to use: No — requires further refining
• Port: Santos, Brazil

Side-by-Side Comparison

Parameter	ICUMSA 45	ICUMSA 150 (VHP)
Color (RBU)	Max 45	150–200
Polarization	Min 99.80°	Min 99.30°
Moisture	Max 0.04%	Max 0.15%
Ash Content	Max 0.04%	Max 0.10%
Appearance	Bright white	Light amber
Shelf Life	2 years+	1 year
Direct consumption	Yes	No
Refinery input	Not required	Yes
Price vs ICUMSA 45	Baseline	$30–$60/MT lower

Who Buys Each Grade?

ICUMSA 45 Buyers

• Food manufacturers (confectionery, bakery, beverages)
• Government procurement / national food authorities
• Retail distributors and wholesalers
• Pharmaceutical manufacturers
• Trading houses supplying consumer markets
• Any market where food-grade white sugar is required without further processing

ICUMSA 150 (VHP) Buyers

• Sugar refineries (the product is their raw material)
• Industrial food manufacturers with in-house refining capacity
• Ethanol producers in some markets
• Trading houses supplying refinery-owning buyers
• Markets where import tariffs on refined sugar are prohibitively high (raw sugar often enters at lower duty rates)

Price Difference

ICUMSA 150 typically trades at a discount of $30–$60/MT versus ICUMSA 45 on a FOB Santos basis. The exact differential fluctuates based on refinery margins globally and the relative tightness of each grade's supply. When Brazilian cane yields are high, both prices soften and the spread often narrows. During supply squeezes, the white premium can widen to $80/MT or more.

However, the price comparison must always include the cost of further refining (for ICUMSA 150) and destination import duties. In some markets, the total landed cost of ICUMSA 45 is lower than ICUMSA 150 once all factors are included.

Making the Right Choice

The decision is straightforward if you apply these two filters:

1. End use: If your product will be consumed without further processing — or sold directly to consumers or food manufacturers — you need ICUMSA 45. If you own a refinery or have industrial refining capacity, ICUMSA 150 may be more cost-effective.
2. Destination tariff: Check the Harmonized System (HS) code duty rates at your port of entry. HS 1701.99 (refined white sugar) and HS 1701.14 (raw cane sugar) often attract different tariff rates. This alone can determine which grade makes commercial sense.

Both grades are available from Claduta Corporation via direct sourcing from Brazilian producers. View current pricing and specifications on our Commodities page or contact our trading desk for a firm quote.