198 Illovo Illovo group is Africa’s biggest sugar producer and has extensive agricultural and manufacturing operations in six African countries. The group produces raw and refined sugar for local, regional African, European Union (EU), United States of America (USA) and world markets from sugar cane supplied by its own agricultural operations and independent out-growers who supply cane to Illovo’s factories. High- value products manufactured downstream of the sugar production process are sold internationally into niche markets. Illovo employs more than 12,000 people in permanent positions across the group, with a further 18,000 people employed on a temporary basis. CHAPTER 14