Finnish Sugar to cut up to 26 jobs as cube sugar production ends in Finland

Finnish Sugar (Suomen Sokeri Oy) will lay off up to 26 employees at its Porkkala plant in Kirkkonummi following restructuring talks, ending domestic production of cube, powdered, and granulated sugar, national broadcaster Yle reports.

The company announced the decision after concluding negotiations that began on 2 March and involved 112 staff. Initial estimates suggested up to 40 positions could be affected.

Under the changes, raw sugar refining will cease at the Porkkala facility, and production of cube, powdered, and granulated sugar will be discontinued in Finland. These products will instead be sourced primarily through the Nordzucker Group, a European sugar producer. Plans to potentially refine raw sugar at parent company Sucros Oy’s plant in Säkylä remain under consideration.

The restructuring is expected to take full effect by the end of 2026. Finnish Sugar stated the move will not impact other products, domestic sugar beet cultivation, or existing grower contracts.

Operations continuing at the Porkkala plant include liquid sugar production, specialty products, packaging, warehousing, crystalline sugar storage, bulk deliveries, laboratory services, energy production, port logistics, maintenance, sales, marketing, customer service, and administrative functions.

The company cited global market conditions, the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and shifting consumer habits as factors behind the decision. The goal is to streamline operations, adapt to future changes, and improve financial performance.