Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Stone on September 12, 2010, 11:25:47 pm

Title: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: Stone on September 12, 2010, 11:25:47 pm
Hi All,

Short of speaking to Carlo at Palermo Bakery in town, does anyone know where can I purchase sugar in bulk?  Thanks.
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: VolunteerK9 on September 12, 2010, 11:39:57 pm
I buy mine from a food wholesaler here close to home. He gives me a huge discount on the busted 50lb bags.
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: BjornBee on September 13, 2010, 12:11:09 am
How about that hell hole...Walmart...... :lau:
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: OzBuzz on September 13, 2010, 12:16:36 am
What sort of volumes are you referring to as 'bulk'? You might be able to approach some sugar manufacturers - some of the manufacturers actually produce sugar syrup to your specs which you might be able to purchase in 1,000L IBC containers
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: VolunteerK9 on September 13, 2010, 09:31:47 am
How about that hell hole...Walmart...... :lau:

Nope. Too expensive for me and not as nearly as en vogue
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: ProPacific on September 13, 2010, 02:12:06 pm
I always go to Costco or Sam's Club for bulk buys. Any wholesale stores would be good. The sugar manufacturer could be even better.
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: Kathyp on September 13, 2010, 02:47:41 pm
look for discount stores that sell dented can, open bag type stuff.  see if they have a call list that they'll put you on.  i get some of my best deals that way.  also stock up around holidays because it is often on sale for a very good price.  watch unit prices.  often the 5lb bags are cheaper than the 20lb bags.
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: BjornBee on September 13, 2010, 05:50:16 pm
I just picked up 1200 lbs of sugar for $108.00

I think thats pretty good...  ;)
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: hardwood on September 13, 2010, 05:58:28 pm
What a deal! I though we did well at .26/lb.

Scott
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: BjornBee on September 13, 2010, 08:12:30 pm
What a deal! I though we did well at .26/lb.

Scott

That was a one time deal and that is all they had.

If I could buy another 1200 at .26/lb...I'd say that would be good also...  ;)
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: naurot on September 14, 2010, 07:11:22 pm
So, where did you get sugar for 26 cents per lb? The cheapest price I normally find is for 4 or 5 lb bags at the store. Last time I went I had sticker shock - Dominos sugar was $8.80 for a 10lb bag! Fortunately, fondant is still $31.15 for 50lb.
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: AllenF on September 14, 2010, 07:15:33 pm
Sugar Prices Climb to Five-Month High on Tightening Supplies
  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-20/sugar-advances-as-u-s-agriculture-department-cites-tightness-in-market.html (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-20/sugar-advances-as-u-s-agriculture-department-cites-tightness-in-market.html)
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: hardwood on September 14, 2010, 07:35:38 pm
We try to buy directly from the source if possible (not always the case). Three of us split large quantity loads (I actually take the pauper's share...the other two have much larger operations). We can normally find it for $.28-.35. $.26 was a deal!

Scott
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: mathew on September 14, 2010, 08:06:33 pm
In Vancouver, Canada, I'll consider $0.35-$0.39 /lb a good deal. 1200lbs for $108= $0.09/lb is a steal! But I wouldn'tknow where to store all that sugar for next year.
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: rast on September 14, 2010, 08:43:52 pm
1200# wont take up that much space Mathew. At that price the space would easily be findable. Hauling it however in my 1/2 ton truck would be exciting.
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: MagicValley on September 15, 2010, 10:34:33 am
I live 2 miles from a huge sugar factory.  They process sugar beets.

Has anyone noticed the difference between cane sugar and beet sugar in regard to the health of the bees, or the quality of the honey?


I can call the factory and see how much per pound a full railroad car is. 

Maybe there are enough people here to start a sugar buyers club.
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: AllenF on September 15, 2010, 03:39:46 pm
No difference in beet sugar.   Good as cane sugar for the bees. 
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: mathew on September 15, 2010, 04:12:59 pm
It shouldn't affect the honey as their sugar syrup storage should have been completed by the time they start foraging in spring/summer. Furthermore, the super you add on would not have any sugar syrup storage and we shouldn't be feeding sugar syrup during high nectar flow. Other wise the honey would not be pure.
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: MagicValley on September 15, 2010, 05:03:52 pm
I got the run-around calling the factory.  The factory is running at capacity and is selling all they can make, so the salespersons are pretty slow and lazy. 

I got a quote of 56 cents per pound in 2000 pound totes, FOB at the factory.  That's a crazy high price compared to what others have posted here.
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: kbenz on September 15, 2010, 07:37:49 pm
1200# wont take up that much space Mathew. Hauling it however in my 1/2 ton truck would be exciting.

nah, thats only #200 pounds over 1/2 ton. I just carried #1680 to the scrap yard in my 1/2 ton with no issues :-D
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: hardwood on September 15, 2010, 09:35:41 pm
As they say around here "Boy, that's like haulin' two tons of turnips in a one ton truck!"

Scott
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: woodchopper on September 17, 2010, 06:48:30 am
I got the run-around calling the factory.  The factory is running at capacity and is selling all they can make, so the salespersons are pretty slow and lazy. 

I got a quote of 56 cents per pound in 2000 pound totes, FOB at the factory.  That's a crazy high price compared to what others have posted here.
Although the prices of sugar have rose since then I was paying $4.76 for a 10 lb bag last year at Wal-Mart. Guess I should have stocked up.
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: cam on September 21, 2010, 07:08:51 am



[/quote]Although the prices of sugar have rose since then I was paying $4.76 for a 10 lb bag last year at Wal-Mart. Guess I should have stocked up.
[/quote]

That's what I paid at Wal-Mart this week.
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: The Bix on September 23, 2010, 01:39:06 am
I spoke to a representative from Industrial Commodities who told me that sugar prices are so high due to supply issues worldwide, cane and beets have had a bad year...Brazil, Asia...everywhere.  He told me to expect +$0.60/lb right now, but that it should go down significantly in the Spring when supplies stabilize. www.industrialcommodities.com (http://www.industrialcommodities.com)
Title: Re: Where can I buy sugar in bulk?
Post by: Galaxy on September 23, 2010, 10:06:57 pm
Sugar prices are high because of government interference in markets.  Our elitist politicians have mandated that up to ten percent of ethanol be blended with gasoline.  Almost all ethanol is fermented and distilled from sugar cane, sugar beets or corn.  This has greatly increased the demand for these sugar sources.  And predictably prices have jumped.

Also, if you find that your small engines are costing you more in repair bills you can thank your politician and their self-appointed, ruling-class, elite co-conspirators.  See: "Ethanol could kill your small engine" http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/12/30/pm_ethanol_kills/ (http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/12/30/pm_ethanol_kills/)