VHP sugar — short for Very High Polarization raw sugar — is the workhorse of the global sugar trade. It is the raw, refining-grade cane sugar that Brazil ships in bulk to refineries worldwide, where it is turned into the white sugar that reaches consumers and food manufacturers.
What "Very High Polarization" means
Polarization measures sucrose purity. VHP polarizes higher than standard raw sugar — typically in the 99.3–99.5° range — so a refinery recovers more white sugar per tonne and processes it more efficiently. Santo Ângelo produces VHP specifically for export.
As a raw sugar, VHP carries the natural colour of cane; refineries decolourize and crystallize it into ICUMSA 45 white sugar to their own specification.
Why refineries prefer Brazilian VHP
- High, consistent polarization that improves refining yield.
- Reliable bulk availability from a large, harvest-driven origin.
- Efficient logistics and a mature export ecosystem.
- Established documentation and quality norms.
VHP vs. crystal vs. refined white
Crystal sugar is a directly-usable Brazilian product, lighter than VHP but not fully refined. Refined white (ICUMSA 45) is the finished consumer product. VHP sits at the start of that chain — the bulk raw material refineries buy to make everything downstream.
Frequently asked questions
What polarization does VHP sugar have?
VHP typically polarizes around 99.3–99.5°. The exact contracted figure is confirmed per shipment on the specification sheet.
Why buy VHP instead of refined white sugar?
Refineries buy VHP as feedstock to run their own refining and control the final product. It ships economically in bulk and is the standard Brazilian export raw sugar.
Further reading
Source VHP sugar for export
Request current VHP specifications, availability and terms from our export desk.