This episode delivers a comprehensive overview of the shifting dynamics in the global sugar market.

• In Thailand, a government-imposed price cut is pushing sugarcane producers toward alternative crops, particularly cassava, which benefits from stronger prices and less import competition. Sugarcane prices are expected to fall by 22% in the 2025–26 season, prompting this shift. Despite the change, sugar output may initially rise by 6%, though a subsequent 7.5% drop is projected due to reduced cultivation.
• India's sugar production has surged 43% year over year, reaching a projected 31 million metric tons as ethanol diversion declines. The government has set an export quota of 1.5 million metric tons despite concerns of a global surplus. Favorable monsoon rains have further boosted crop yields.
• Brazil is on track to produce 45 million metric tons of sugar in the 2025–26 season, with an 8.7% increase in the Center South region attributed to better harvesting efficiency and favorable weather. A weakening Brazilian real continues to enhance the competitiveness of exports, adding pressure to global sugar prices.
• In the European Union, sugar beet cultivation is set to decline by nearly 10% in Germany and the UK, driven by high input costs and falling prices. This trend mirrors the previous season and may lead to factory closures if it persists.
• China anticipates increased sugar production, rising to 11.5 million metric tons due to expanded cultivation. Consumption is expected to hold steady at 15.8 million metric tons, with low global prices potentially increasing import volumes. The government remains vigilant on sugar syrup imports to stabilize domestic markets.
• Australia's sugar industry is grappling with its lowest price levels in five years. In response, the sector is calling for a pivot to biofuels and bioenergy, supported by proposed government initiatives such as capital grants, feasibility studies, and infrastructure investment.

This week’s episode covers key developments in the global sugar market.

• India reported a 43% increase in sugar production from October to November, reaching 4.11 million metric tons. This growth is attributed to improved yields and earlier mill operations. Forecasts for the 2025–26 season range from 31 to 34.9 million tons. Despite these gains, India reduced its sugar export quota from 2 million to 1.5 million tons. The Food Ministry is considering higher ethanol procurement prices, which could incentivize mills to shift focus from sugar to ethanol, impacting future output and export volumes.
• Brazil is on track for a record sugar output of 45 million metric tons. Early November data showed an 8.7% year-over-year increase, influenced by rising crude oil prices that make ethanol production more attractive. Robust crush volumes and sugar recovery rates support global supply growth, though this may suppress international prices.
• Thailand anticipates a modest 2% rise in output, totaling 10.3 million tons for the upcoming season. As the world’s third-largest producer, Thailand’s consistent growth continues to bolster global supply, potentially prolonging lower price periods.
• In the European Union, especially France, favorable weather conditions are expected to boost sugar beet harvests despite regulatory limits on pesticide use. The local growers’ association is optimistic about positive impacts on production.
• The United States is contributing to global supply pressures with revised upward production estimates, while ethanol mandates influence the use of sugarcane. In Pakistan, limited output growth is expected, but government stabilization policies play a key role in balancing market surpluses and shortages.
• Across all regions, the global sugar market remains shaped by an intricate mix of production trends, government policies, and energy market linkages. Shifting priorities between sugar and ethanol production are increasingly influencing output strategies and global pricing dynamics.

This week’s global sugar market report.

• Fiji’s sugar industry continues to face operational challenges due to persistent heavy rainfall, which has hindered activity at both the Labasa and Rarawai mills. In response, the Fiji Sugar Corporation has extended the crushing season at Labasa and is conducting operational trials at Rarawai following fire damage. The corporation is also working to curb cane burning to maintain productivity under difficult weather conditions.
• In Malaysia, MSM Malaysia Holdings Berhad is preparing for favorable developments in 2026, anticipating a decline in raw sugar prices. The company is enhancing operational efficiency and targeting a 95 percent efficiency rate while managing exports conservatively. Despite improved performance, it continues to navigate pressures from weak global sugar prices and volatile currency and futures markets.
• India’s Sanjivani sugar factory is planning additional support measures for farmers, potentially expanding subsidies for harvesting and transport costs to a national level. These efforts aim to maintain a fair sugarcane price and protect farmers from predatory pricing, especially in Karnataka.
• Global sugar pricing remains influenced by complex factors. While India’s export restrictions and Brazil’s revised production numbers signal a bullish market, the International Sugar Organization’s projected global surplus offers a moderating counterpoint. India’s ethanol policies and Brazil’s strong output forecasts are pivotal in shaping short-term global price movements.
• In the Philippines, sugar production is expected to remain steady at 2.09 million metric tons despite pest challenges and varying outlooks from local and U.S. agencies. The expansion of sugarcane cultivation into former banana plantations may help offset potential yield losses.
• Finally, Brazil's sugar market dynamics reflect a nuanced picture: while a recent downward forecast for 2026–2027 temporarily boosted prices, the country’s current production remains robust, reaffirming its dominant position in global supply.

This episode provides a global overview of the sugar market.

• India's sugar production is forecasted to exceed expectations for the 2025–2026 season, with estimates ranging from 31 million to 35.3 million metric tons, an increase of up to 25 percent year over year. This growth is attributed to favorable monsoon conditions and a reduction in sugarcane diversion for ethanol, now down to 3.4 million metric tons. Despite a lowered export cap of 1.5 million metric tons, down from the initially expected 2 million, short-term sugar prices rallied before stabilizing due to broader global supply forecasts. India is also evaluating a potential increase in ethanol procurement prices, though no decision has been finalized.
• In Brazil, sugar production continues to expand. The government agency CONAB raised its forecast to 45 million metric tons for the 2025–2026 crop, reflecting a 16.4 percent year-over-year increase for October. Cumulative production in the center-south region has reached 38.1 million metric tons, applying downward pressure on global prices, which have also responded to currency volatility.
• Thailand's projected sugar output stands at 10.5 million metric tons, a 5 percent increase from the prior year. The country maintains consistent export levels, strengthening its role as a reliable supplier amid global market shifts, including policy changes in India.
• Overall, the global sugar market has transitioned from an anticipated deficit to a surplus, now projected at 1.63 million metric tons. The International Sugar Organization has raised the global production estimate to 181.8 million metric tons, up 3.2 percent from earlier projections. While price volatility persists, particularly in response to India’s domestic policy shifts, the broader market is adjusting to a phase of higher supply and moderated pricing.

This episode delivers a strategic overview of the global sugar market as of November 16, 2025.

• Brazil is leading global output growth, with Conab projecting a record 45 million metric tons of sugar for the season. This expansion is driven by favorable weather and improved cane processing. Mid-October projections from DataGrow for the 2026–2027 crop remain strong at 44 million metric tons, with Brazil’s Center-South regions showing the most significant gains.
• India’s sugar industry is also experiencing renewed momentum. The Indian Sugar Mills Association estimates production will rise to 31 million metric tons, marking an 18.8 percent increase from the previous season. Contributing factors include favorable monsoon conditions and a reduction in ethanol diversion. Even with potential export limitations, India may still allocate up to 4 million metric tons for international markets if current restrictions persist.
• Thailand is forecasted to grow sugar production by 5 percent, reaching 10.5 million metric tons for the 2025–2026 period. This boost is supported by better yields and strong export performance, facilitated by a structured trade environment that continues to back industry expansion.
• The collective output increase across these major producers is creating a substantial global surplus. Zarnikov has adjusted its forecast to reflect an 8.7 million metric ton surplus for the 2025–2026 season. Major trading hubs like New York and London have seen downward price trends, though periodic rebounds have occurred due to technical trading factors and minor export constraints.

This episode provides a comprehensive overview in the global sugar market.

• South Africa has experienced a dramatic increase in sugar imports, rising more than 400% from 35,730 tons in 2024 to nearly 149,000 tons in 2025. This surge, primarily driven by cheaper Brazilian imports, has triggered a 13% drop in domestic sugar sales and resulted in financial losses exceeding R760 million for local producers. The effects have been most severe in rural areas like KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, where job security in the sugar sector is increasingly at risk. In response, the South African Cane Growers Association is calling for stronger local procurement policies and government action to protect domestic industry.
• Pakistan has mandated a unified sugarcane crushing start date of November 15, 2025, aiming to streamline operations and ensure timely payments to farmers. The policy is reinforced by the threat of government action against mills that fail to comply, seeking to align interests between millers and growers and promote a more efficient production cycle.
• India is set to double its sugar export allocation to 2 million metric tons for the new season, following a rebound in production to 30.95 million tons. This move is a strategic adjustment after last season’s export limitations caused by drought. Meanwhile, Brazil remains a dominant force, with expected production reaching 45 million metric tons, which continues to exert downward pressure on global sugar prices. The value of the Brazilian real also plays a crucial role in shaping international pricing trends.
• Thailand forecasts a 5% increase in sugar output, reaching 10.5 million metric tons, reinforcing its global market presence. In the Eurasian Economic Union, Russia leads regional production with 3.56 million tons, followed by Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, underscoring the bloc’s growing refining capacity and contribution to the global supply chain.

Global Sugar Market Insights: 2010–2025

Supply and demand are key drivers of sugar, but there are other structural forces that drive prices. Beyond the simple "how much sugar is being grown (supply) and how much is being eaten (demand) - there are five additional forces that drive pricing —currency, energy, macroeconomics, logistics, and weather

Currency as a Price Lever
Discover how foreign exchange movements, especially the Brazilian Real (BRL) and Indian Rupee (INR), impact global sugar flows. Understand why a weaker BRL tends to flood the market with cheaper exports, while India’s currency effect is filtered through layers of government policy, subsidies, and export controls.

The Ethanol–Energy Tug-of-War
Explore the tight link between crude oil prices and sugar supply. When oil is expensive, sugarcane gets diverted into ethanol—tightening sugar availability. This dynamic, most powerful in Brazil and now actively used in India, makes energy prices a key signal for sugar traders.

Macro Headwinds and Freight Disruptions
We examine how interest rates, a strong U.S. Dollar, and global risk sentiment impact speculative flows into sugar. Plus, hear how logistics shocks—from COVID-era shipping chaos to Red Sea security threats and the Panama Canal drought—have reshaped regional trade routes and price spreads.

The New Global Cost Floor
Understand why the 2021–2022 surge in fertilizer, fuel, and labor costs permanently altered global production economics. A new, higher cost base now underpins ICE #11 futures, with traders and producers adjusting expectations accordingly.

Weather, Sentiment, and Speculation
From El Niño swings to unpredictable rainfall in India and Thailand, weather is no longer just a supply issue—it’s a pricing catalyst. Forecasts alone can spark massive speculative moves. Learn how CropGPT’s models integrate climate data and policy updates to forecast market sentiment in real time.

This episode delivers a concise overview of the global sugar market as of November 2, 2025.

• Brazil’s Center-South region reported a sugar production of 33.52 million metric tons for the 2025-2026 season, reflecting a modest 0.8% increase from the previous year. Over half of the harvested cane was directed toward sugar, though ethanol demand and weather variability continue to influence output decisions. Despite strong export activity, Brazil faces increasing global competition due to rising surpluses and changing domestic sugar-to-ethanol production ratios.
• India's sugar output is forecast to rise 19% to 34.9 million metric tons, driven by favorable monsoon conditions. With domestic consumption around 28.5 million metric tons, the resulting surplus has triggered policy debates on exports, ethanol diversion, and market stability. Thailand expects production between 10.3 and 10.5 million metric tons, supported by beneficial rainfall and sustainability investments aimed at improving long-term yields.
• Indonesia plans to reduce sugar imports to between 3.0 and 3.1 million metric tons by 2026 as part of its strategy to boost local production amid global price fluctuations. Tanzania has achieved net exporter status, shipping 85,000 metric tons in 2025 and continuing efforts toward self-sufficiency. In contrast, the Philippines faces a 7.9% production decline due to pest outbreaks and extreme weather, prompting a halt in exports and controversial import policies that have stirred domestic industry backlash.