The UAE, a major importer of raw sugar and exporter of whites, has joined the International Sugar Organisation.

The ISO, which provides analysis on world market trends, said in a statement that UAE was the 81st member state.

UAE does not grow any sugar cane or beet but its only refinery, Al Khaleej, imports raw sugar and has a processing capacity of about two million tonnes a year.

The bulk of the refined sugar is re-exported to the world market. Reuters