10 Sugar Exporting Countries You Should Know About
Sugar is one of the most traded commodities in the world, with a global market value of over $30 billion in 2022. But which countries are the top exporters of sugar, and what are their main markets? In this article, we will explore the 10 sugar exporting countries you should know about, based on the latest data from World’s Top Exports.
1. Brazil
Brazil is the undisputed leader in sugar exports, accounting for 35.6% of the global total in 2022. The South American country produced about 715 million metric tons of sugarcane in 2021, the largest amount in the world, and refined nearly 35 million metric tons of sugar in 2022/2023. Brazil’s main export destinations for sugar are China, Indonesia, Algeria, Bangladesh and Nigeria.
2. India
India is the second-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a market share of 18.6% in 2022. The Asian country is also the largest consumer of sugar, with a demand of about 28 million metric tons in 2022/2023. India produced about 400 million metric tons of sugarcane and 33 million metric tons of sugar in 2021/2022. India’s main export markets for sugar are Bangladesh, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Iran.
3. Thailand
Thailand is the third-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 9.9% in 2022. The Southeast Asian country produced about 100 million metric tons of sugarcane and 11 million metric tons of sugar in 2021/2022. Thailand’s main export destinations for sugar are China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea.
4. France
France is the fourth-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 3.7% in 2022. The European country produced about 32 million metric tons of sugar beet and 5 million metric tons of sugar in 2021/2022. France’s main export markets for sugar are Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium and Portugal.
5. Germany
Germany is the fifth-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 2.9% in 2022. The European country produced about 28 million metric tons of sugar beet and 4 million metric tons of sugar in 2021/2022. Germany’s main export destinations for sugar are France, Poland, Netherlands, Italy and Austria.
6. Mexico
Mexico is the sixth-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 2.7% in 2022. The North American country produced about 60 million metric tons of sugarcane and 6 million metric tons of sugar in 2021/2022. Mexico’s main export market for sugar is the United States, which accounts for over 90% of its total exports.
7. Guatemala
Guatemala is the seventh-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 2.6% in 2022. The Central American country produced about 30 million metric tons of sugarcane and 3 million metric tons of sugar in 2021/2022. Guatemala’s main export markets for sugar are Canada, United States, Chile, Haiti and Taiwan.
8. Morocco
Morocco is the eighth-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 1.4% in 2022. The African country produced about 5 million metric tons of sugarcane and beet and over one million metric tons of sugar in 2021/2022. Morocco’s main export destinations for sugar are Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Algeria and Libya.
9. Netherlands
Netherlands is the ninth-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 1.3% in 2022. The European country produced about 7 million metric tons of sugar beet and over one million metric tons of sugar in 2021/2022. Netherlands’ main export markets for sugar are Germany, Belgium, France, United Kingdom and Sweden.
10. Belgium
Belgium is the tenth-largest sugar exporter in the world, with a share of 1.1% in 2022. The European country produced about 6 million metric tons of sugar beet and over one million metric tons of sugar in 2021/2022. Belgium’s main export destinations for sugar are France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Sugar is a vital commodity for many countries around the world, both as a source of income and as a staple food item. The top ten sugar exporting countries account for over four-fifths of the global total, with Brazil leading by a wide margin. These countries have diverse production methods and markets for their sugar, reflecting the different needs and preferences of their consumers.
Sugar Exporting Countries: Trends and Challenges
Sugar is one of the most traded commodities in the world, with a global production of about 180 million metric tons annually. The main sources of sugar are sugarcane and sugar beet, which are grown in different regions depending on the climate and soil conditions. Sugarcane accounts for nearly 80% of global sugar production, while sugar beet accounts for the remaining 20%.
In this blog post, we will look at the statistics of sugar exporting countries, the factors that affect the global demand and supply of sugar, and the challenges faced by the sugar industry.
Top Sugar Exporters in 2022/2023
According to Statista, Brazil is the largest exporter of sugar in the world, with an estimated volume of 28.2 million metric tons in 2022/2023. Brazil is also the top producer of sugarcane, with a production of 715.7 million metric tons in 2021. Brazil’s sugar exports are mainly destined for China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Algeria, and Nigeria.
The second largest exporter of sugar is Thailand, with an estimated volume of 11 million metric tons in 2022/2023. Thailand is also the second largest producer of sugarcane, with a production of 100.5 million metric tons in 2021. Thailand’s sugar exports are mainly destined for Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea.
Other major exporters of sugar include India, Australia, Germany, Guatemala, France, Colombia, Mexico, and South Africa. The following table shows the top ten sugar exporters in 2022/2023 and their export volumes.
| Country | Exports (million metric tons) |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 28.2 |
| Thailand | 11 |
| India | 9 |
| Australia | 4.5 |
| Germany | 3.5 |
| Guatemala | 3 |
| France | 2.5 |
| Colombia | 2.5 |
| Mexico | 2 |
| South Africa | 1.5 |
Factors Affecting Global Sugar Demand and Supply
The global demand and supply of sugar are influenced by various factors, such as population growth, income levels, consumption patterns, health awareness, trade policies, weather conditions, crop diseases, and biofuel production.
Population growth and income levels are expected to increase the demand for sugar in developing countries, especially in Asia and Africa, where per capita consumption is still low compared to developed countries. However, consumption patterns may change due to health awareness and dietary preferences, which may reduce the demand for sugar in some markets.
Trade policies also affect the global sugar market, as tariffs, quotas, subsidies, and agreements can create distortions and barriers for trade. For example, the European Union (EU) has a complex system of domestic support and export subsidies for its sugar sector, which affects its competitiveness and market access. The United States (US) also has a quota system that limits the amount of sugar that can be imported from certain countries.
Weather conditions, crop diseases, and biofuel production can affect the supply of sugar by affecting the yield and quality of sugarcane and sugar beet. For example, droughts in Brazil and Thailand have reduced their sugarcane production in recent years. Similarly, pests and diseases such as yellow leaf syndrome and smut have affected sugarcane crops in some regions. Biofuel production can also affect the supply of sugar by diverting sugarcane from food to fuel use. For example, Brazil produces ethanol from sugarcane, which accounts for about 40% of its sugarcane use.
Challenges Faced by the Sugar Industry
The sugar industry faces several challenges that may affect its sustainability and profitability in the future. Some of these challenges are:
- Price volatility: The global sugar market is characterized by high price volatility due to fluctuations in demand and supply. This creates uncertainty and risk for producers and consumers alike. Price volatility can be mitigated by hedging strategies, diversification of products and markets, and improved market information.
- Environmental impact: The production of sugarcane and sugar beet has significant environmental impacts such as land use change, water use, soil erosion, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and pollution. These impacts can be reduced by adopting best practices such as integrated pest management, water efficiency, soil conservation, and waste management.
- Social impact: The production of sugarcane and sugar beet also has social impacts such as labor conditions, human rights, health and safety, and food security. These impacts can be improved by ensuring fair wages, decent working conditions, respect for human rights, and access to health and education services.
- Competition: The sugar industry faces competition from other sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, and natural sweeteners. These alternatives may have lower costs, higher availability, or better health benefits than sugar. The sugar industry can compete by improving its quality, efficiency, innovation, and marketing.
Sugar is a widely traded commodity that has a significant impact on the global economy, environment, and society. The sugar industry is dominated by a few major exporters, such as Brazil and Thailand, that face various challenges and opportunities in the global market. The future of the sugar industry depends on how well it can adapt to the changing demand and supply conditions, as well as the environmental and social issues that affect its sustainability and profitability.
References:
https://apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/circulars/sugar.pdf
https://www.statista.com/statistics/495973/sugar-production-worldwide/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/273437/exported-amount-of-sugar-in-leading-countries/
https://oec.world/en/profile/hs92/raw-sugar
https://www.isosugar.org/sugarsector/sugar
https://www.statista.com/statistics/273437/exported-amount-of-sugar-in-leading-countries/
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