Top 10 Sugar Exporting Countries in the World

Sugar is one of the most widely consumed commodities in the world, and it is also a valuable raw material for various industries. According to the International Sugar Organization, the global sugar production in 2022/23 was estimated at 184.5 million metric tons, while the global sugar consumption was projected at 176.3 million metric tons. This means that there was a surplus of sugar in the market, which led to increased exports by some countries. In this article, we will look at the top 10 sugar exporting countries in the world, based on the data from Statista and World’s Top Exports.

1. Brazil

Brazil is the undisputed leader in sugar exports, accounting for 35.6% of the total sugar exports in 2022. The country produced about 34.9 million metric tons of sugar in 2022/23, mainly from sugarcane, which is also used to produce ethanol for biofuel. Brazil exported about 11 billion US dollars worth of sugar in 2022, mainly to China, India, Algeria, Bangladesh, and Nigeria.

2. India

India is the second-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 18.6% of the total sugar exports in 2022. The country produced about 33.7 million metric tons of sugar in 2022/23, mostly from sugarcane, which is also used to produce jaggery and khandsari (traditional sweeteners). India exported about 5.7 billion US dollars worth of sugar in 2022, mainly to Indonesia, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Somalia, and Iran.

3. Thailand

Thailand is the third-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 9.9% of the total sugar exports in 2022. The country produced about 11 million metric tons of sugar in 2022/23, mostly from sugarcane, which is also used to produce molasses and ethanol. Thailand exported about 3.1 billion US dollars worth of sugar in 2022, mainly to China, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Japan.

4. France

France is the fourth-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 3.7% of the total sugar exports in 2022. The country produced about 4 million metric tons of sugar in 2022/23, mostly from sugar beets, which are also used to produce bioethanol and bioplastics. France exported about 1.2 billion US dollars worth of sugar in 2022, mainly to Algeria, Morocco, Belgium, Italy, and Germany.

5. Germany

Germany is the fifth-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 2.9% of the total sugar exports in 2022. The country produced about 3.4 million metric tons of sugar in 2022/23, mostly from sugar beets, which are also used to produce bioethanol and biogas. Germany exported about 890.6 million US dollars worth of sugar in 2022, mainly to France, Italy, Poland, Netherlands, and Belgium.

6. Mexico

Mexico is the sixth-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 2.7% of the total sugar exports in 2022. The country produced about 6 million metric tons of sugar in 2022/23, mostly from sugarcane, which is also used to produce piloncillo (unrefined brown sugar) and panela (solidified cane juice). Mexico exported about 825.3 million US dollars worth of sugar in 2022, mainly to the United States, Canada, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.

7. Guatemala

Guatemala is the seventh-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 2.6% of the total sugar exports in 2022. The country produced about 3 million metric tons of sugar in 2022/23, mostly from sugarcane, which is also used to produce ethanol and rum. Guatemala exported about 799.7 million US dollars worth of sugar in 2022, mainly to Canada, the United States, Chile, Haiti, and South Korea.

8. Morocco

Morocco is the eighth-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 1.4% of the total sugar exports in 2022. The country produced about 1 million metric tons of sugar in 2022/23, mostly from sugar beets,
which are also used to produce animal feed and molasses. Morocco exported about 433.8 million US dollars worth of sugar in 2022, mainly to Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast.

9. Netherlands

Netherlands is the ninth-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 1.3% of the total sugar exports in 2022. The country produced about 1.2 million metric tons of sugar in 2022/23, mostly from sugar beets, which are also used to produce bioethanol and bioplastics. Netherlands exported about 391.3 million US dollars worth of sugar in 2022, mainly to Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, and Sweden.

10. Belgium

Belgium is the tenth-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 1.1% of the total sugar exports in 2022. The country produced about 0.8 million metric tons of sugar in 2022/23, mostly from sugar beets, which are also used to produce bioethanol and biogas. Belgium exported about 335.2 million US dollars worth of sugar in 2022, mainly to France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, and Spain.

Sugar is a versatile and valuable commodity that is produced and exported by many countries around the world. The top 10 sugar exporting countries in 2022 were Brazil, India, Thailand, France, Germany, Mexico, Guatemala, Morocco, Netherlands, and Belgium, which together accounted for 84.3% of the global sugar exports. These countries have different sources and uses of sugar, such as sugarcane, sugar beets, ethanol, biofuel, and sweeteners, which reflect their diverse agricultural and industrial sectors.

Top Sugar Exporting Countries in 2022

Sugar is one of the most widely consumed commodities in the world, and its production and trade have significant economic and environmental impacts. According to the World’s Top Exports website, sugar exports by country were worth a total of US$30.9 billion in 2022, an increase of 35.1% from 2018. In this article, we will look at the top sugar exporting countries in 2022, and how the global demand for sugar has changed over time.

Brazil: The World’s Largest Sugar Exporter

Brazil is the undisputed leader in sugar exports, accounting for 35.6% of the global market share in 2022. Brazil exported US$11 billion worth of sugar in 2022, up by 19.8% from 2021. Brazil is also the top producer of sugarcane, the main source of sugar, with an output of 715.7 million metric tons in 2021. Brazil’s sugar industry is highly efficient and competitive, thanks to its favorable climate, large-scale mechanization, and use of ethanol as a biofuel.

Brazil’s main export destinations for sugar are China, India, Indonesia, Algeria, and Bangladesh. Brazil’s sugar exports are expected to grow further in the coming years, as the country invests in new infrastructure and technology to increase its production capacity and quality.

India: The Second Largest Sugar Exporter

India is the second largest sugar exporter in the world, with a market share of 18.6% in 2022. India exported US$5.7 billion worth of sugar in 2022, up by 50.6% from 2021. India is also the second largest producer of sugarcane, with an output of 370 million metric tons in 2021. India’s sugar industry is diverse and complex, involving millions of small farmers, cooperatives, private mills, and government policies.

India’s main export destinations for sugar are Iran, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Somalia, and Sudan. India’s sugar exports are influenced by various factors, such as domestic consumption, production costs, government subsidies, international prices, and trade agreements.

Thailand: The Third Largest Sugar Exporter

Thailand is the third largest sugar exporter in the world, with a market share of 9.9% in 2022. Thailand exported US$3.1 billion worth of sugar in 2022, up by 101.8% from 2021. Thailand is also the fourth largest producer of sugarcane, with an output of 100 million metric tons in 2021. Thailand’s sugar industry is modern and efficient, benefiting from favorable weather conditions, advanced irrigation systems, and high-quality varieties.

Thailand’s main export destinations for sugar are Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. Thailand’s sugar exports are expected to remain strong in the future, as the country has a competitive edge in the Asian market and enjoys preferential access to some countries under free trade agreements.

Global Demand for Sugar: Trends and Outlook

The global demand for sugar has been growing steadily over the years, driven by population growth, income growth, urbanization, and changing consumer preferences. According to Statista, the global consumption of sugar reached about 176 million metric tons in 2022/23, up from 156 million metric tons in 2010/11. The top three countries by sugar consumption in 2022/23 were India (28 million metric tons), the European Union (19 million metric tons), and China (15 million metric tons).

The global demand for sugar is expected to continue to increase in the future, as emerging markets such as China, India, Indonesia, and Africa expand their consumption of processed foods and beverages that contain sugar. However, the demand growth may also face some challenges, such as health concerns, environmental issues, price volatility, and trade barriers.

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https://www.worldstopexports.com/sugar-exports-country/
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https://www.statista.com/statistics/273437/exported-amount-of-sugar-in-leading-countries/

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/101615/5-countries-produce-most-sugar.asp