Quick Answer
ICUMSA 45 is the highest-quality refined white sugar in international trade — pure white, fully refined, used in retail packs, premium beverages and pharma. ICUMSA 100 is slightly off-white but functionally identical for most industrial uses, and costs $30-$50/MT less.If your end use is retail consumer packs, premium beverages, confectionery branding or pharma — buy ICUMSA 45. If your end use is industrial baking, brewing, animal feed, secondary refining, or low-end retail in price-sensitive markets — ICUMSA 100 saves money with no functional drawback.
What ICUMSA Actually Measures
ICUMSA = International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis. The "ICUMSA value" measures sugar color in IU (ICUMSA Units) — the lower the number, the whiter and more refined the sugar.
| ICUMSA value | Color | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 45 IU max | Pure white, sparkling | Fully refined |
| 100 IU max | Off-white, slight cream tint | Refined |
| 150 IU max | Light cream | Light brown / refined |
| 600-1200 IU | Pale yellow to yellow | Mill white / unrefined |
| 1500-2500 IU | Brown | Raw / VHP |
Spec Comparison
| Spec | ICUMSA 45 | ICUMSA 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Color (IU) | 45 max | 100 max |
| Polarization | 99.8% min | 99.7% min |
| Moisture | 0.04% max | 0.06% max |
| Ash | 0.04% max | 0.07% max |
| Reducing sugar | 0.04% max | 0.05% max |
Price Comparison (FOB Bangkok, 2026)
| Grade | Price Range (USD/MT) |
|---|---|
| ICUMSA 45 | $510-$580 |
| ICUMSA 100 | $470-$540 |
| ICUMSA 150 | $440-$510 |
Where Each Grade Fits
ICUMSA 45 — best for:- Retail consumer packs (1kg, 5kg)
- Premium beverages (Coca-Cola, Pepsi, premium juices)
- Confectionery (chocolate, hard candy, fondant)
- Pharmaceutical syrups and tablets
- Markets with strict appearance standards (USA, EU, Japan, Middle East retail)
- Industrial baking and biscuit production
- Brewing and distilling
- Low-end retail in price-sensitive markets (parts of Africa, South Asia)
- Animal feed and pet food
- Secondary processing where final product color isn't critical
Why Some Markets Demand ICUMSA 45 Specifically
In retail-driven markets, consumers visually compare sugar bags on the shelf. Even slight off-white tint flagged as "lower quality" depresses sales. So retail brands and large beverage/confectionery companies write ICUMSA 45 into their procurement specs as a non-negotiable.
In contrast, an industrial bakery cares only about polarization and moisture — final cookie color comes from caramelization, not the raw sugar.
How to Choose
Buy ICUMSA 45 if:- Your buyer specs require it (most retail/branded buyers do)
- Your destination market expects pure white sugar visually
- You're entering a premium retail channel
- Your end-use is industrial or low-cost retail
- You can save $30-$50/MT × 25 MT/container = $750-$1,250 per container
- Your customer doesn't write ICUMSA 45 into the spec
Get Both Grades from One Supplier
Kanthararom Sugar produces both ICUMSA 45 and ICUMSA 100 at the same mill, with consistent food safety and packaging standards. Request a quote for either grade — or both, on the same vessel.
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