Sugar Journal: History, Coverage, Sugar Notables and Editor
Profile updated November 2026
Sugar Journal is a monthly technical magazine for the sugar industry, published from New Orleans since 1938. It covers how cane, beets and corn are grown, processed and refined into sweeteners and energy, for an international audience of growers, factory engineers, refiners and researchers.
| Founded | 1938 |
|---|---|
| Home | 3803 Cleveland Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Audience | International sugar and ethanol industries |
| Awards | Sugar Notables, honored each July in New Orleans |
| Publisher and editor | Romney Richard |
| Official website | SugarJournal.com |
History of Sugar Journal
Sugar Journal was founded in 1938 and is based in New Orleans, the commercial hub of Louisiana's cane sugar industry. Media directories describe it as a monthly technical publication edited for the sugar industry, with an international readership and a focus on the science and engineering of sugar production.
Its scope covers cane, beet and corn sweeteners together, and it serves both the sugar and ethanol industries. Alongside field and factory practice, it reports on energy topics such as biofuels and cogeneration, the generation of power from mill byproducts.
Romney Richard has led the magazine as editor for well over a decade; directories listed him as editor in 2013, and in 2025 he was serving as both publisher and editor.
Sugar Journal Today
Sugar Journal continues to publish monthly, covering global trends in sugar production, processing and refining, research, economic and administrative issues, and a monthly listing of sugar industry meetings and conferences. It accepts contributed technical articles from the industry.
Its signature event is Sugar Notables, which honors leaders across the global sugar industry. Nominations opened on SugarJournal.com in 2024, judged on length of service, career success, industry contributions, involvement in organizations and leadership, and a panel of industry leaders chose winners in each category. The 2025 honorees included Louisiana cane grower Howard Robichaux, Colorado beet grower Paul Schlagel, Louisiana raw sugar processor Dan Duplantis, Canadian cane refiner Mike Walton, North Dakota beet processor David Grooms, Brazilian researcher Raffaella Rossetto and Louisiana supplier researcher Keith Picou. They were celebrated on July 19, 2025, at Antoine's Restaurant in New Orleans, hosted by Romney and Charley Richard.
What Sugar Journal Is Publishing Now
Field and factory
Cane and beet production methods, harvesting, milling, clarification, evaporation and crystallization in raw sugar factories and refineries.
Energy and byproducts
Cogeneration from bagasse, ethanol and other biofuels, and the economics of turning sugar crops into energy.
Research and industry news
Technical research papers, economic and policy issues, and a monthly calendar of sugar meetings and conferences worldwide.
Sugar Journal Editors and Staff
Directory listings and 2025 Sugar Notables coverage name:
- Romney Richard - Publisher and Editor
- Charley Richard - Co-host, Sugar Notables celebration
Sugar Notables information was handled through Debbie@sugarjournal.com, according to the 2025 announcement.
Who Reads Sugar Journal
Readers include sugarcane and sugar beet growers, raw sugar mill and refinery managers, engineers, researchers and suppliers in the U.S. and abroad. In Louisiana, the American Sugar Cane League represents cane growers and processors, and NASS tracks cane and beet acreage and production nationally, the data behind many Sugar Journal stories.
Sugar people spend grinding season running mills around the clock, so a little sweetness in the break room helps. farm.FM serves farm satire and farm humor for cane and beet country alike, with ranch humor for the cattle on the levees. Its farm jokes are refined, mostly.
If the name is new to you, farm.FM is the nation's first satirical farm site, with Tractor Tunes country music for farmers on the side. One of its regular writers keeps a whole archive of stories like that.
Sugar Journal Sources and Agriculture Authority Links
- Biodiesel Magazine directory: Sugar Journal - address, founding year and description.
- Sugar Producer: Sugar Journal honors 2025 Sugar Notables - the 2025 honorees and event.
- Louisiana Farm Bureau: Meet the 2025 Sugar Notables - state farm organization coverage.
- American Sugar Cane League: Sugar Bulletin - the Louisiana cane producers' association publication archive.
- USDA NASS Quick Stats - sugarcane and sugar beet statistics.
Sugar Journal FAQ
When was Sugar Journal founded?
In 1938.
Where is Sugar Journal published?
In New Orleans, Louisiana.
Who edits Sugar Journal?
Romney Richard is publisher and editor.
What are the Sugar Notables?
Sugar Journal's awards honoring leaders in sugar growing, processing, refining and research, celebrated each July in New Orleans.
For more than 85 years, Sugar Journal has given the world's sugar industry a technical monthly from the heart of Louisiana cane country.