California and Hawaiian Sugar Company
| Company type | Stock corporation (since 1993) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sugar processing and distribution |
| Predecessor | Agricultural cooperative (1921–1993) |
| Founded | 1906 |
| Headquarters | Crockett, California , United States |
Area served | Western United States (primarily west of the Mississippi River) |
| Products | Cane sugar (white granulated, brown sugar, baker’s/superfine, powdered sugar, organic) |
Number of employees | 450+ |
| Parent | American Sugar Refining (since 2006) |
California and Hawaiian Sugar Company (commonly known as C&H Sugar) is a U.S.-based enterprise specializing in sugar processing and distribution. Established in 1906 and initially structured as a cooperative in 1921, the company experienced market contractions and shifts in ownership throughout the latter half of the 20th century. Its refinery located in Crockett, California, employs more than 450 workers and is responsible for producing approximately 14% of the nation's cane sugar supply.
History
From 1921 until 1993, C&H functioned as an agricultural cooperative owned by the principal sugar companies of Hawai’i, often referred to as the member sugar companies. The company’s main office is situated in Crockett, California, beneath the Carquinez Bridge in unincorporated Contra Costa County.
In 1993, ownership changed when the member companies sold their shares to Honolulu-based Alexander & Baldwin, transitioning C&H from a cooperative into a stock corporation. Five years later, in 1998, Alexander & Baldwin divested a majority interest to Citicorp Venture Capital (CVC) but maintained a 40% stake. Subsequently, in 2006, American Sugar Refining acquired C&H and integrated it with its other sugar businesses. Despite these ownership transitions, C&H faced declining revenues and profitability entering the 21st century, largely due to decreasing sugar prices coupled with increasing labor expenses.
Products and market
C&H Sugar holds a prominent position within its markets, particularly noted for exclusively using cane sugar—a preference over beet sugar among many consumers. The company’s product portfolio includes various cane sugar types such as white granulated, brown sugar, baker’s (superfine), powdered sugar, and organic options.
The brand primarily serves markets located west of the Mississippi River within the United States, with only limited availability on the east coast. Its clientele spans both grocery retail and industrial sectors, offering more than seventy distinct product types, grades, and packaging sizes. Annually, the company processes a significant volume of sugar.
Historically, the Crockett refinery sourced its raw cane from Hawaiian plantations. However, international competition from countries like Brazil and Vietnam has impacted profitability negatively. In 2016, Hawaii’s last commercial sugar producer ceased harvesting and refining operations. Moving forward, C&H plans to convert these lands to cultivate alternative crops such as sorghum and biofuel feedstocks, signaling a strategic evolution in its operational focus.