VALUE CHAIN OF THE DIVERSIFICATION OF THE SUGAR CANE AGROINDUSTRY IN MÉXICO

Abstract

In México, sugar cane (Saccharum spp.), its products and byproducts, represent an important economic activity for the population. The national sugar cane agroindustry is complex, and the conventional indicators used for decision making up to date have not managed to determine what are the critical points of the sugar system in the transition from sugar factories to biorefineries and the diversification of cane supply zones, sugar factories, mills and distilleries, as strategy for competitiveness and sustainability. In this study, the limiting factors are analyzed that should be considered for the successful establishment of a national reconversion and diversification program in the sugar agroindustry value chain, as well as the productive options that may contribute to increase income and profitability of sugar cane production.