Blog · Buyer's Guide · June 30, 2026
ICUMSA 45 Sugar Import Guide
A practical guide for importers and food buyers: ICUMSA 45 white refined sugar specifications, the ICUMSA color scale, Brazilian vs Russian origin, packaging, FOB/CIF pricing, and shipping from Russia to MENA, Africa and Asia.
What is ICUMSA 45 sugar?
ICUMSA 45 is the international quality grade for highly refined, bright white sugar intended for direct human consumption. The "45" refers to the maximum color value — 45 ICUMSA Units (IU) — measured by attenuation of light through a sugar solution. Simply put: the lower the ICUMSA number, the whiter and more refined the sugar.
ICUMSA 45 is the default grade for retail packs, beverages, confectionery, baking and the food industry worldwide. When buyers say "white refined sugar" without further detail, they usually mean ICUMSA 45. See our ICUMSA 45 sugar product page for the full export specification.
Understanding the ICUMSA scale
The ICUMSA (International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis) scale classifies refined sugar by color. Knowing the grades helps you compare quotes and avoid buying the wrong specification:
| ICUMSA grade | Color (IU) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| ICUMSA 45 | ≤ 45 | Retail, beverages, food industry |
| ICUMSA 100 | ≤ 100 | Industrial, confectionery |
| ICUMSA 150 | ≤ 150 | Soft drinks, regional trade |
| ICUMSA 600–1200 | 600–1200 | Raw / brown sugar for refining |
For most importers, the choice is between ICUMSA 45 (premium white) and ICUMSA 100 (slightly less white, cheaper, industrial). If your buyer or market requires pure white retail sugar — choose 45.
ICUMSA 45 specifications
Standard export specification for ICUMSA 45 white refined sugar:
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Polarization (min) | 99.8° |
| Moisture (max) | 0.04% |
| Color (ICUMSA, max) | 45 IU |
| Solubility | 100% — clear, colourless solution |
| Sulphated ash (max) | 0.04% |
| Granulation | Fine to medium crystal |
| Radiation | Normal — within Codex limits |
| Origin | Russia (beet sugar) |
Every shipment is verified by SGS or equivalent independent inspection, with a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis.
Beet sugar vs cane sugar
Russia is one of the few large exporters producing white sugar from sugar beet rather than cane. This matters for buyers in three ways:
- Chemically identical. Once refined to ICUMSA 45, beet and cane sugar are pure sucrose with identical specs — polarisation, solubility and color are the same.
- Non-GMO by default. Russian sugar beet is non-GMO, supported by the CoA on each shipment.
- Supply seasonality. Russian beet campaigns run from September to February; refined white sugar is available year-round from refinery stocks. Brazilian cane supply, by contrast, follows the April–November crush.
For buyers diversifying away from a single origin, Russian beet sugar is a natural second-source — different hemisphere, different logistics corridor, different currency exposure.
Packaging options
| Packaging | Typical lot | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 50 kg PP bags | 25–28 MT / 20ft container | Standard export, regional distribution |
| 1,000 kg big bags (FIBC) | 20–22 MT / container | Industrial buyers, repacking |
| Bulk in vessel hold | 5,000–25,000 MT parcel | Large importers and refineries |
| 1 kg retail bags | Private label (MOQ applies) | Supermarket and FMCG brands |
FOB vs CIF sugar pricing
White sugar is quoted either FOB Novorossiysk (seller loads at the Russian port) or CIF destination port (seller delivers to your port). The right Incoterm depends on your freight capability:
- FOB Novorossiysk — best price per ton; you arrange ocean freight and insurance. Suits experienced importers with freight contracts. Details: FOB Novorossiysk.
- CIF — one all-inclusive delivered price; we handle freight and insurance to your port. Suits buyers who want simplicity and predictable landed cost. Details: CIF delivery.
ICUMSA 45 prices move weekly with the global raw and white sugar market, currency rates and Russian beet crop forecasts. Always request a firm quote with validity — not a catalogue price.
What drives ICUMSA 45 prices?
- Global raw sugar price (ICE No. 11) and white sugar premium
- Beet harvest volume in Russia and EU
- Currency — ruble/USD movements shift FOB pricing
- Freight rates — especially for CIF quotes
- Packaging — bulk cheapest; retail bags most expensive
- Volume — full parcels get better per-ton pricing
- Destination — import duties and port congestion affect landed cost
Key import markets for ICUMSA 45
Russian white sugar ships mainly to:
- Turkey — short 2–4 day transit from Novorossiysk
- Egypt — large food industry and retail demand
- Yemen — competitive FOB pricing, growing volumes
- Pakistan — major importer balancing domestic supply
- Iran — CIF to Persian Gulf ports
- Africa & MENA — population-driven demand growth
Documents in every shipment
- Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading, Packing List
- SGS Inspection Certificate
- Certificate of Origin
- Quality Certificate & Certificate of Analysis
- Health / sanitary certificate (destination-specific)
See our certificates page for details.
FAQ
What does ICUMSA 45 mean?
ICUMSA 45 is the international grade for highly refined white sugar — maximum 45 ICUMSA Units of color. It is the standard for retail and food-industry use. Lower ICUMSA = whiter sugar.
What is the difference between ICUMSA 45 and ICUMSA 100?
ICUMSA 45 is bright white for retail and direct food use; ICUMSA 100 is slightly less white and cheaper, suited to industrial use and beverages. 45 commands a premium over 100.
Is Russian sugar beet or cane?
Beet. Russian white sugar is refined from sugar beet grown in Krasnodar, Voronezh and Central Russia. Once refined to ICUMSA 45, beet sugar is chemically identical to cane sugar — pure sucrose.
What is the minimum order?
One 20ft container (25–28 MT bagged) or 5,000–12,000 MT bulk parcels. Smaller consolidation lots on request.
How is ICUMSA 45 sugar packed?
50 kg PP bags, 1,000 kg big bags, bulk in vessel hold, and 1 kg retail bags under private label (MOQ applies).
Which documents come with a shipment?
SGS inspection, Certificate of Origin, Quality Certificate, Certificate of Analysis, Bill of Lading and commercial invoice. Sanitary certificate where required.