Types of Sugar: A Complete Guide for Wholesale Buyers

For international buyers, "sugar" is not one product. It is a spectrum of grades that differ by how much molasses is removed, what colour the crystals end up, how pure the sucrose is, and what the sugar is ultimately used for. The same sugarcane can become refinery-grade raw sugar bound for further processing, brilliant-white ICUMSA 45 for direct food manufacturing, or a large-crystal specialty sugar sold at a premium into cafés and gourmet retail. Choosing the wrong grade for an application is one of the most common — and most expensive — mistakes new buyers make.

This guide maps the full range of sugar types the way a procurement manager needs to see them: by processing level, ICUMSA colour rating, polarization, and intended use. Each major type links to a dedicated guide with full specifications and sourcing detail.

How Sugar Types Are Classified

Three measurable properties separate one sugar grade from another, and they appear on every Certificate of Analysis (COA) you will receive from a supplier.

ICUMSA colour rating is the international scale (measured in IU) that grades sugar by colour, which is a proxy for how much molasses and colourant remains. Lower numbers are whiter and more refined; higher numbers are darker and less processed. Refined white sugar sits at 45 IU; raw and specialty sugars climb into the hundreds and thousands.

Polarization (Pol) is the percentage of pure sucrose in the sugar. Refined white sugar exceeds 99.8% Pol; raw and specialty grades carry more molasses solids and minerals, so their Pol is lower.

Processing level is the practical summary: how many crystallizations the sugar underwent and how much molasses was removed. This is what ultimately drives colour, Pol, crystal size, flavour, moisture, and price.

The Refined Sugars (ICUMSA Grades)

Refined sugars are processed through multiple crystallizations and decolourization to remove molasses and colour. They are the workhorses of global food manufacturing.

ICUMSA 45 is the world's most-traded sugar grade — brilliant white, ~99.8% Pol, used directly in food, beverage and confectionery manufacturing. See our Brazilian ICUMSA 45 sugar product page for specifications.

ICUMSA 150 is a refined white sugar a step below 45 IU — still food-grade and widely used where the very brightest white is not essential. See refined ICUMSA 150 sugar.

ICUMSA 35 is an extra-refined grade, whiter and more tightly specified than 45, used in pharmaceutical and premium applications. See ICUMSA 35.

Crystal white sugar is semi-refined white sugar widely used in food processing and regional markets. See crystal white sugar.

For a full explanation of how refined grades are produced versus less-processed sugars, see our guide to raw sugar vs refined sugar.

The Raw Sugars

Raw sugars are minimally processed and, in commodity trade, are typically destined for refineries rather than direct consumption.

ICUMSA 600–1200 / VHP (Very High Polarization) is raw cane sugar with high sucrose content, exported in bulk for refining at the destination. It is the highest-volume sugar type traded internationally. See ICUMSA 600–1200.

The distinction between raw refinery feedstock and finished consumer sugars matters commercially, because they trade at very different price points and serve completely different buyers. Our raw sugar vs refined sugar guide covers where each grade fits.

The Specialty Sugars

Specialty sugars are minimally processed cane sugars sold as finished consumer products — not refinery feedstock. They command premium prices for their colour, crystal size, and molasses flavour, and serve cafés, specialty bakeries, craft beverage producers, and gourmet retail. They are tightly specified on appearance and flavour, which is why buyers must verify ICUMSA colour, crystal size and origin rather than accepting "raw sugar" relabelled as specialty.

Demerara is a large-crystal (2–4mm), golden specialty sugar at ICUMSA 1000–2000, with 1–2% retained molasses and a subtle caramel flavour. It is free-flowing and prized for toppings, coffee service and craft cocktails. Full detail in our demerara sugar guide.

Muscovado is the least-refined cane sugar, very dark (ICUMSA 2000–4600), moist and sticky (2–5% moisture, 8–12% molasses), with an intense molasses flavour. Full detail in our muscovado sugar guide.

Turbinado is a partially-refined golden sugar with medium crystals (1–2mm), lighter in colour and molasses than demerara. [TODO: link to /post/turbinado-sugar-guide once that post is published — leave as plain text until then.]

Organic sugar is certified free of synthetic pesticides (USDA Organic, EU Organic) and is available across several grades. See our comparison of organic sugar vs conventional.

For sourcing any specialty grade in bulk or retail-ready packaging, see our specialty sugar range.

Brown Sugar (Refined + Molasses)

Commercial brown sugar is a distinct category: it is fully refined white sugar with molasses blended back in, giving fine, soft, moist crystals. This makes it different from naturally-processed specialty sugars like demerara and muscovado, where the molasses is original to the crystal rather than re-added. The raw sugar vs refined sugar guide explains the production difference in detail.

Quick Comparison

Sugar Type	ICUMSA (IU)	Pol (%)	Processing	Typical Use
ICUMSA 35	35	≥99.8	Extra-refined	Pharma, premium food
ICUMSA 45	45	≥99.8	Fully refined	Food/beverage manufacturing
ICUMSA 150	150	≥99.7	Refined	General food processing
Crystal white	~100–600	~99.5	Semi-refined	Food processing
Turbinado	600–1200	~99	Partially refined	Specialty retail, café
ICUMSA 600–1200 / VHP	600–1200	≥98	Raw (refinery feedstock)	Refining
Demerara	1000–2000	97.5–99	Partially refined	Specialty topping, café, cocktails
Muscovado	2000–4600	92–96	Minimally refined	Rich baking, sauces

Choosing the Right Grade

Match the grade to the application and the budget. For high-volume food and beverage manufacturing where neutral colour and flavour matter, refined ICUMSA grades are the answer. For refinery feedstock, VHP/ICUMSA 600–1200 is the bulk commodity choice. For specialty applications where appearance, crunch and molasses flavour justify a premium, demerara, muscovado and turbinado earn their higher price.

Whatever grade you need, always confirm ICUMSA colour, polarization, moisture and crystal size against a COA from an accredited inspector (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek) before contracting.

Ready to source a specific grade? Contact us for specifications, samples and competitive wholesale pricing.