Outlook, trader debates and refining updates will take centre stage at a renowned event in the world of sugar trading to be held in Dubai this month.

The 11th annual Kingsman Dubai Sugar Conference will run from January 31 to February 3 at the Grand Hyatt Dubai.

More than 30 speakers, representing producers, importers, investment bankers, shipping companies, traders, analysts and associations will offer views on sugar production by country, regional and global trade agreements, competition in ethanol, what's ahead to 2020, and market pricing.

David Lawson, head of European conference production at Platts, a leading provider of agriculture, energy, petrochemicals and metals information and host of the event, said: “We're pleased to once again provide a platform and venue for critical debate of the sugar market's immediate and longer-term outlook.”

Tim Worledge, Platts global associate editorial director of agriculture, said: “While the sugar market appears relatively balanced, it's this balance that observers suggest could make the market in 2015 more reactive to any disruptions in supply or demand.”

In addition to weather in Brazil, supply and demand surprises could spring from such factors as how aggressively countries divert sucrose to ethanol, the degree of enforcement of China's out-of-quota import caps, any change to the profitability of carrying sugar, and any improvement in Brazil's mill indebtedness, according to the Platts' Kingsman Friday Sugar Editorial.

Jonathan Kingsman, consultant to Platts and founder of Kingsman, said: ”Finally, Brazil's government is taking steps to help the domestic sugar cane industry; steps, which combined, should increase demand for ethanol and may mean a reduction in sugar supply.

"First, it has raised taxes on gasoline and Petrobras has said that despite the fall in world oil prices it will pass on the increase to domestic motorists. Second, the government is expected on February 2 to announce an increase in the ethanol content of gasoline from 25 per cent to 27 per cent. At the same time, sugar growers in other parts of the world finally seem to be getting the price signals to reduce production. All this may make 2015 a pivotal, critical year for the global sugar industry."

The three-day event of keynote addresses, outlook presentations, trader debates and networking receptions will this year include two new features - the ‘Sugar Learning Curve’ Workshop - which will offer education on sugar pricing methodology, international sugar trade and dispute resolution and dealing with matters of force majeure;  and a tour of the world's largest stand-alone refinery Al Khaleej, host sponsor of the Conference.

Jamal Al Ghurair, Al Khaleej Sugar managing director, said: ”We're pleased to note the ship has unloaded 106,000 tonnes of raw sugar to be stored in the Al Khaleej store silos and dome. We've expanded our storage capacity to 1.4 million tonnes of sugar and we look forward to meeting with attendees of the Platts' Kingsman Sugar Conference and giving them a tour of our refinery."

Based in Jebel Ali, near Dubai, Al Khaleej Sugar refinery is the largest stand-alone sugar refinery the world, with current production capacity of approximately 7,000 tonnes of refined white sugar per day.

Al Khaleej Sugar's products are regularly exported to more than 40 countries, including the regional countries in the Arabian Gulf Region. - TradeArabia News Service