Of the U.S. sugar producing areas, Louisiana is the oldest and most historic. Sugarcane arrived in
Louisiana with the Jesuit priests in 1751 who planted it near where their church now stands on Baronne
Street in New Orleans. Several plantations were planted in what is now the city limits of New Orleans
and in 1795, Etienne deBore, first granulated sugar on a commercial scale in Audubon Park. Except for
disastrous production years during the Civil War, during a disease epidemic of the 1920’s, and from 10
degree freezing temperatures affecting the 1990 crop, the Louisiana sugarcane industry has continued
to increase in productivity, mainly due to improved varieties, cultural practices, pest control and sugar
processing techniques. The Louisiana sugarcane industry is currently in its third century of sugar
production.