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During which season is sugarcane usually harvested and milled?
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Sugarcane
Field of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) in St. George Parish, Barbados.
Sugarcane is typically harvested and milled during the dry, relatively cool season of the year, with the process generally lasting for five to six months. While this seasonal pattern is common, harvesting can occur year-round in certain prime regions, such as Cuba, the Philippines, and Colombia.12
To ensure the highest sugar yield, it is essential to minimize the time between cutting the cane and processing it at the factory, as this reduces deterioration. Once delivered to the mill, factories typically operate around the clock to process the crop efficiently.2