In a world where sweet flavors delight palates and sweeten lives, sugar stands as one of the most appreciated and versatile ingredients in global gastronomy. Since ancient times, this delicious substance has been an essential component in the creation of countless dishes and products, playing a crucial role in cooking, baking and the food industry in general. Let's see why sugar production is so important and which are the largest sugar producers worldwide.
Why is sugar production so important?
About 80% of the world's sugar is produced from cane grown in tropical and subtropical climates. The remaining 20% comes from sugar beets, which are mainly grown in the temperate zones of the northern hemisphere. In the 2022/2023 campaign, global sugar production is expected to be 182 million metric tons, 1,7 million tons more than the previous year. More than 110 countries produce sugar and the magnitude of their contributions is affected by local politics and economic policy. For example, the war in Ukraine is expected to reduce that country's sugar beet production by 23% in 2022/2023.
World production of cane and beet sugar. Source: ResearchGate.
1. Brazil
Brazil's already massive contribution to global sugar supplies is expected to increase by one million tonnes in the 2022-2023 harvest, due in part to favorable weather. And this despite the fact that more and more Brazilian farmland is dedicated to soybeans and corn. The country's increased production is also benefiting from the decision to shift a fraction of Brazil's sugarcane crop from ethanol production to sugar production. In addition to being the largest sugar producer in the world, Brazil is the second largest producer of ethanol after the United States. Since the mid-1990s, the volume of sugar cane harvested and processed in Brazil has almost tripled. This reflects the growing demand for ethanol from sugar cane and renewable fuels in general. By not having decreased food production during that time, Brazil has demonstrated its viability as an effective and efficient power in ethanol production.
Sugar and ethanol production in Brazil from 2003 to 2022. Source Fitch Solutions.
2 India
India is not far behind Brazil in sugar production and in fact ranked first in 2020. It is also the world's largest consumer of sugar, consuming 29 million metric tons annually. India accounts for almost 15% of the total world sugar production. At the same time, domestic sugar consumption is increasing. Its total production is expected to decline by 3% to 35,8 million tonnes in 2022-2023.
Production, consumption and open balance of sugar in India from 2004 to 2019. Source: IndianCompanies.
3. Tailandia
Sugarcane is one of Thailand's most important crops, and the country is recovering from a drought that severely damaged its production in the 2020-2021 campaign. Production in 2022-2023 is expected to reach 10,5 million tonnes, a slight increase from the previous year. Thailand exports most of its sugar production and in fact ranks second in the world (after Brazil) as an exporter. Domestic Thai sugar consumption is increasing, further reducing the country's sugar export earnings.
Cane sugar production in Thailand from 2004 to 2019. Source: OAE.
4. China
China's sugar production is expected to increase by 400.000 tonnes to reach 10,1 million tonnes in the 2022-2023 harvest. China's domestic sugar sector has had difficulty competing internationally. Its production costs are higher than those of some of its foreign competitors. China allows 1,95 million tons of sugar to be imported per year with a 15% tariff under an agreement with the World Trade Organization9. For several years, China even raised that 50% tariff. In 2019-2020, the total tariff for imports above the allowed quota was 85% or even 95%. The tariffs expired in May 2020 and China did not renew them, so they went back to 50%.
Production of cane and beet sugar in China from 2009 to 2022. Source: Czapp.
5 U.S
The United States is currently the world's fifth largest producer of sugar, with expected gross production of 8,2 million metric tons in the 2022-23.12 growing season. 45 Unlike most other countries, the United States is a large producer both of cane and beet sugar, sugar cane representing around 55% of national production and beet around 7,6%. However, America's sweetest cash crop actually comes from another plant: corn. The United States produced 2020 million short tons of high-fructose corn syrup in 9,1, down from a peak of more than 2012.14 million in XNUMX These sweeteners are often used as sugar substitutes. in the beverage, dairy and processed food industries.
US refined sugar and beet production from 2009 to 2022. Source: USDA.