If you buy sugar in bulk, you will keep running into ICUMSA numbers — 45, 100, 150, VHP. This guide explains what they mean and which grade fits your application.
What ICUMSA measures
ICUMSA stands for the International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis, the international body that defines the standard laboratory methods used to test sugar quality. In the sugar trade, the ICUMSA number is shorthand for a color measurement: a sugar sample is dissolved and its color is measured, giving a number that reflects how much impurity remains. The rule of thumb is simple — the lower the number, the whiter and purer the sugar.
A very low number such as 45 means the sugar has been refined to remove virtually all molasses, minerals and color compounds. A higher number, such as 150 or 600, means progressively more of those natural compounds remain, which also affects flavor: higher-ICUMSA sugars taste more of caramel and molasses. The number therefore tells a buyer, at a glance, what to expect in the bag.
The main grades at a glance
| Grade | What it is | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|
| ICUMSA 45 | Refined white cane sugar; the highest purity grade traded internationally, with sucrose content of around 99.8%. | Beverages, pharmaceuticals, confectionery and dairy — anywhere color and purity are critical. |
| ICUMSA 100–150 | Standard refined crystal sugar; whiter than raw grades but less refined than ICUMSA 45. | Bakeries, breweries and food manufacturers where ultra-white color is not essential. |
| Raw VHP | Very High Polarization raw cane sugar, with polarization around 99.3% or higher; light brown in color. | Brazil’s main bulk export grade; bought by refineries as feedstock and re-refined into white grades at the destination. |
| Brown 600–1200 | Molasses-rich sugar with a golden-to-dark brown color and caramel-like flavor. | Baking, sauces, marinades and other applications that benefit from deeper flavor and color. |
How to choose the right grade
Match the grade to your application, not to a notion of “better” or “worse.” If color and purity are critical — for soft drinks, pharmaceutical products or fine confectionery — ICUMSA 45 is the standard choice. Cost-sensitive, high-volume food production often uses ICUMSA 150: it costs less while remaining a clean, refined sugar that performs well in baking and brewing. Refineries, on the other hand, buy raw VHP as feedstock and do the final refining themselves. Brown sugars in the 600–1200 range are chosen for flavor, not whiteness.
When comparing offers, check that the grade, polarization, moisture and packaging are specified the same way on every quote — an “ICUMSA 150” from one seller should mean the same thing as from another. If you are switching grades in an existing recipe, run a small trial first: color, sweetness perception and browning behavior can all shift.
Why Brazil
Brazil is the world’s largest producer and exporter of sugar, which is why Brazilian ICUMSA 45 and VHP set the benchmark for bulk sugar trade. The country’s large-scale cane industry and long export history mean these grades are the reference point buyers and sellers compare against worldwide. When a contract specifies “Brazilian ICUMSA 45” or “Brazilian VHP,” traders on every continent know exactly what quality to expect.
Ready to source? Take a closer look at our ICUMSA 45 sugar, raw VHP sugar and brown sugar product pages for full specifications, or contact us for a quote and tell us which grade fits your application.