During the American period, the hacienda supplied almost 20% of America's sugar from 1898 to the 1940s (from the Spanish–American War until World War II) back when the Tabacalera still owned it.
Because of this, the Luisita sugar became popular locally as well.
The Spanish-owned hacienda flourished mainly because of America's obsession with sugar.
In the 1920s, Tabacalera then left the tobacco business to focus on the growing sugar industry to cater to US’ needs since this product was more profitable at the time.
They invested heavily on the business by constructing a sugar refinery known as "Central Azcurarera de Tarlac" (CAT) which used America's centrifugal machinery technology in order to double the production and lessen the cost of shipping sugar to a refinery in Laguna owned by the Roxas Family.

The refinery became the largest sugar central in the Philippines thus increasing Tabacalera's profits.
With a new production line, the refinery required a new system for more efficiency.
Workers were laid off or forced to retire since old farm workers were not familiar with the new technology.
This then resulted to continuous protests for a year.
The Hacienda produced 126,129 tons of sugar in 1928 as well as allegedly receiving additional tons of sugar with current prices of Php 23,450.
The workers then found out that the hacienda was receiving multiple fines that were deducted from the workers’ wages, which sparked outrage.
During the American period, the hacienda supplied almost 20% of America's sugar from 1898 to the 1940s (from the Spanish–American War until World War II) back when the Tabacalera still owned it. Because of this, the Luisita sugar became popular locally as well. The Spanish-owned hacienda flourished mainly because of America's obsession with sugar. In the 1920s, Tabacalera then left the tobacco business to focus on the growing sugar industry to cater to US’ needs since this product was more profitable at the time. They invested heavily on the business by constructing a sugar refinery known as "Central Azcurarera de Tarlac" (CAT) which used America's centrifugal machinery technology in order to double the production and lessen the cost of shipping sugar to a refinery in Laguna owned by the Roxas Family.
The refinery became the largest sugar central in the Philippines thus increasing Tabacalera's profits. With a new production line, the refinery required a new system for more efficiency. Workers were laid off or forced to retire since old farm workers were not familiar with the new technology. This then resulted to continuous protests for a year. The Hacienda produced 126,129 tons of sugar in 1928 as well as allegedly receiving additional tons of sugar with current prices of Php 23,450. The workers then found out that the hacienda was receiving multiple fines that were deducted from the workers’ wages, which sparked outrage.
Hacienda Luisita