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Sarh Sugar Refinery

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The sugar refinery in Sarh, known as the Compagnie Sucrière du Tchad (CST), is located in the village of Banda near the city of Sarh and is the country's only large-scale sugar production facility. Established in 1970, the company operates its own sugarcane plantations, which are irrigated with water from the Chari River to ensure a continuous supply of raw materials. The facility includes both industrial juice extraction and refining into white sugar for the Chadian market. CST plays a central role in the local economy of the Moyen-Chari province, employing thousands of seasonal workers during the harvest season. In addition to sugar, the refinery produces molasses used for animal feed. Despite challenges from cheap imports and unstable power supply, Sarh remains the heart of Chad's agro-industry. Modernization of the factory in recent years aims to strengthen the country's sugar self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on foreign currency for imports.

Location: Chad
Nearby: Kyabé (69 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	28	31	33	34	31	28	26	25	26	26	27	27
Rain mm	0	1	7	19	87	153	216	252	204	87	4	0

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The Sarh Sugar Refinery is the leading agro-industrial plant in southern Chad, processing locally grown sugarcane into raw sugar. It is a key employer and pillar of the local economy in Moyen-Chari Province.

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Visiting

The factory grounds are usually not open to tourists, but occasional guided tours are arranged for agricultural delegations. From the nearby main road, the installations and sugarcane storage are visible.

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Where to view it

A good viewpoint is the bridge over the Chari River, offering a wide view of the factory grounds and surrounding sugarcane fields. The elevated area in the Bégou district also provides an excellent view of the plant.

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Local products

In the Sarh region, local markets offer raw sugar and molasses, by-products of the refinery. Seasonally, fresh sugarcane stalks are also available and commonly chewed on the spot.

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Active season

The refinery's peak season is during the sugarcane harvest from November to March, when work continues around the clock. In the rainy season from April to October, processing usually stops as no fresh raw material is available.

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Nearby

A visit to the sugar refinery can be combined with exploring the city of Sarh and its colonial buildings. A trip to the nearby Kowa Waterfalls or Manda National Park is also recommended.

Geography

Coordinates

9.15000, 18.39000

Facts

CST was established in 1970 and is headquartered in Banda.
The sugarcane plantations cover thousands of hectares of land.
Sarh is often referred to as the 'City of Sugar' due to this industry.
The Chari River is the primary source for irrigating the plantations.
The workforce grows to over 3,000 people during the harvest season.
The factory utilizes its own co-generation unit for energy production.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Grand Mosque of Sarh<1 km · NExplore →

Sarh Children's Crafts Center2 km · SWExplore →

Manda Wildlife Reserve3 km · NExplore →

Moyen-Chari Cotton Plantations7 km · NWExplore →

Kyabé Forest63 km · NEExplore →

Kyabé69 km · NEExplore →

Koumra97 km · SExplore →

Moïssala110 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Overnight stops

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Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Sarh Sugar Refinery (1)

Cadre d'Action Humaniste pour les Personnes Handicapees CAHPH📍 landmark

Located in the bustling city of Sarh, this humanitarian center focuses on supporting and empowering people with disabilities.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can one visit the Sarh sugar refinery?

No, a visit is usually not possible due to safety reasons.

What is the economic importance of the factory?

It is an important employer for the Sarh region.

Where do the raw materials come from?

The sugarcane is grown in the surrounding agricultural areas.

What is near Sarh?

The city is located on the Chari River, allowing for boat trips.

Are there local markets?

Yes, the local market in Sarh has fresh regional products.

Sarh Sugar Refinery: where is it located?

Sarh Sugar Refinery is located in Chad.

Sarh Sugar Refinery: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.

Sarh Sugar Refinery: why is it worth visiting?

The sugar refinery in Sarh, known as the Compagnie Sucrière du Tchad (CST), is located in the village of Banda near the city of Sarh and is the country's only large-scale sugar production facility.

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