Every sweet treat we enjoy starts somewhere around the globe, a fact underscored by the 182 million metric tons of sugar produced last year, with Brazil and India leading a vast network of nations feeding our collective sweet tooth.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022/23, global sugar production reached 182 million metric tons (MMT)
- Brazil produced 39.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23, accounting for 22% of global output
- India’s sugar production was 35.5 MMT in 2022/23
- In 2022/23, global sugar consumption totaled 176 MMT
- India consumed 28.5 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- China’s sugar consumption was 12.5 MMT in 2022/23
- In 2022/23, Brazil exported 31.5 MMT of sugar
- Global sugar trade volume was 47 MMT in 2022/23
- Thailand exported 6.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- The global sugar market value was $72 billion in 2022
- Brazil’s sugar industry employed 1.2 million people directly in 2022
- India’s sugar sector contributed 1.1% to national GDP in 2022
- Sugarcane farming emits 15-25 tons CO2 per hectare annually
- Brazil’s sugarcane ethanol reduces GHG by 70% vs gasoline
- Global sugar industry water usage is 200 liters per kg of sugar
Brazil and India lead global sugar production while consumption steadily grows worldwide.
Consumption
- In 2022/23, global sugar consumption totaled 176 MMT
- India consumed 28.5 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- China’s sugar consumption was 12.5 MMT in 2022/23
- United States per capita sugar consumption was 24 kg in 2022
- Brazil consumed 12.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- EU total sugar consumption was 17.2 MMT in 2022/23
- Indonesia consumed 7.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Pakistan consumed 5.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Mexico consumed 5.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Russia consumed 5.5 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Germany per capita consumption was 38 kg in 2022
- United Kingdom sugar consumption fell to 40 kg per capita in 2022
- Egypt consumed 3.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Turkey consumed 3.4 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Bangladesh consumed 1.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Vietnam consumed 2.0 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- South Africa consumed 2.1 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Japan consumed 2.0 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Algeria consumed 1.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Iran consumed 2.4 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Thailand consumed 2.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Nigeria consumed 1.7 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Global high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) consumption was 9 MMT in 2022/23
- Per capita sugar consumption in India was 20 kg in 2022
- US total caloric sweetener consumption was 137 lbs per capita in 2022
Consumption Interpretation
While India leads the world by the sheer weight of its sweet tooth, and nations like Germany and the UK vie for the title of most dedicated per capita dessert enthusiasts, the sobering global total suggests we have collectively agreed to sweeten our way to the next century, one hefty metric ton at a time.
Economics
- The global sugar market value was $72 billion in 2022
- Brazil’s sugar industry employed 1.2 million people directly in 2022
- India’s sugar sector contributed 1.1% to national GDP in 2022
- US sugar program provided $3.8 billion in economic benefits in 2022
- Global sugar market projected to grow at 4.5% CAGR to 2030
- EU sugar industry turnover was €15 billion in 2022
- Thailand sugar exports generated $4.2 billion in revenue in 2022/23
- Australia’s sugar industry added A$2.5 billion to economy in 2022
- World sugar stocks-to-use ratio was 40% in 2022/23
- India’s sugar mills numbered over 500 in 2022
- US beet sugar factories produced 55% of domestic supply in 2022
- Global investment in sugar production capacity was $10 billion in 2022
- Brazil ethanol from sugarcane displaced 1 billion tons CO2 equivalent in 2022
- Sugar retail prices in US averaged $0.45/lb in 2022
- India government subsidy to sugar sector was INR 20,000 crore in 2022
- Global futures trading volume for sugar was 2.5 million contracts in 2022
- EU quota system abolished led to 20% production increase since 2017
- China’s sugar self-sufficiency rate was 75% in 2022
- Sugarcane farming supports 45 million farmers in India in 2022
- US sugar loan program value reached $1.2 billion in 2022/23
- Global sugar deficit was 6 MMT in 2022/23
- Thailand’s sugar industry GDP contribution was 1.5% in 2022
- Sugarcane prices in Brazil averaged BRL 150/ton in 2022/23
Economics Interpretation
While the world debates its sweet tooth with a $72 billion habit, nearly 50 million livelihoods, from Brazilian mills to Indian farms, depend on this politically subsidized, deficit-ridden, and geopolitically strategic crystal.
Health
- Annual global consumption of added sugars is 110 MMT
- Excessive sugar intake causes 2.8 million deaths yearly worldwide
- US adults consume 17 tsp added sugar daily, exceeding limits
- Sugar-sweetened beverages linked to 184,000 deaths/year globally
- Childhood obesity rates doubled since 1980 partly due to sugar
- Diabetes prevalence is 10.5% globally, correlated with sugar intake
- HFCS consumption associated with 20% higher obesity risk
- UK sugar tax reduced purchases by 10% in first year
- Average sugar in US soda is 39g per 12oz can
- Tooth decay from sugar affects 2.3 billion people globally
- Added sugars contribute 13% of US adult calories
- Mexico soda tax cut purchases by 10% post-2014
- Global fatty liver disease linked to fructose in 25% cases
- Sugar intake over 25g/day raises CVD risk by 30%
- Children’s sugar from drinks averages 7 tsp daily in US
- WHO recommends <10% calories from free sugars
- Cancer risk increases 12% per 150 calories/day sugar
- EU front-of-pack labeling reduced sugar sales by 5%
Health Interpretation
The sugar industry, armed with mountains of data and tragic outcomes, has conducted a global experiment on humanity, and the results are in: we are lethally addicted, and the proof is written in our soaring death rates and failing health.
Production
- In 2022/23, global sugar production reached 182 million metric tons (MMT)
- Brazil produced 39.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23, accounting for 22% of global output
- India’s sugar production was 35.5 MMT in 2022/23
- The European Union produced 15.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Thailand produced 10.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- China’s sugar production stood at 10.8 MMT in 2022/23
- Pakistan produced 6.5 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Mexico produced 5.3 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Australia produced 4.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Guatemala produced 2.9 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Indonesia produced 2.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- United States produced 8.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23 from beets and cane
- Russia produced 6.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Turkey produced 2.7 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Colombia produced 2.4 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Egypt produced 2.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Ukraine produced 1.9 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- South Africa produced 2.1 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Argentina produced 2.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Vietnam produced 1.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Peru produced 1.3 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Bangladesh produced 1.4 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Philippines produced 2.0 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Cuba produced 1.1 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Global beet sugar production was 42 MMT in 2022/23
- Cane sugar production dominated with 140 MMT globally in 2022/23
- India’s sugarcane area harvested was 5.1 million hectares in 2022/23
- Brazil’s sugarcane yield averaged 74 tons per hectare in 2022/23
- EU sugar beet yield reached 80 tons per hectare in 2022/23
- Global sugarcane production hit 1.9 billion tons in 2022/23
Production Interpretation
This 182 million metric ton mountain of sweetness is precariously balanced on the shoulders of Brazil and India, who together produce over a third of the world’s supply, while a complex network of cane fields and beet farms across dozens of other nations scrambles to satisfy our insatiable global sweet tooth.
Sustainability
- Sugarcane farming emits 15-25 tons CO2 per hectare annually
- Brazil’s sugarcane ethanol reduces GHG by 70% vs gasoline
- Global sugar industry water usage is 200 liters per kg of sugar
- Deforestation for sugarcane in Brazil was 0.5% of total in 2022
- EU sugar beet farming uses 150 kg N fertilizer per hectare
- India sugarcane sector recycles 70% of wastewater in mills
- Global sugar production contributes 1% to agricultural GHG emissions
- Bagasse from sugarcane generates 25% of mill energy needs
- Pesticide use in sugarcane is 2.5 kg/ha globally
- Brazil zero-till sugarcane covers 50% of area, reducing erosion
- Sugar industry in Thailand uses 90% renewable energy in mills
- Global land for sugarcane is 26 million ha
- Water stress affects 40% of sugarcane production areas
- Organic sugar production is 1% of total global output
- Sugarcane ash recycling improves soil carbon by 20%
- EU aims for 50% reduction in sugar beet pesticide use by 2030
- Biofertilizers used on 15% of Indian sugarcane area
- Global sugar transport emits 50 million tons CO2 yearly
- Sugarcane biodiversity initiatives cover 10 million ha in Brazil
Sustainability Interpretation
The sugar industry presents a bittersweet paradox: it’s a potent source of renewable energy and innovative recycling, yet its immense thirst and footprint remind us that even the sweetest solutions require careful cultivation to be truly sustainable.
Trade
- In 2022/23, Brazil exported 31.5 MMT of sugar
- Global sugar trade volume was 47 MMT in 2022/23
- Thailand exported 6.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- India exported 7.9 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- EU imported 3.2 MMT of raw sugar in 2022/23
- Australia exported 3.4 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Guatemala exported 2.7 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- United States imported 4.5 MMT of sugar in 2022/23 under quotas
- China imported 5.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Indonesia imported 5.7 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Bangladesh imported 2.5 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Malaysia imported 2.1 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Algeria imported 1.9 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Saudi Arabia imported 1.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- United Arab Emirates imported 1.4 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Morocco imported 1.5 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- United States exported 0.5 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Ukraine exported 0.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23 before disruptions
- Colombia exported 2.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- South Africa exported 0.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Peru exported 1.0 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Cuba exported 0.3 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
- Top destination for Brazilian sugar exports was China with 15 MMT in 2022/23
- EU sugar exports totaled 2.1 MMT in 2022/23
- Global raw sugar prices averaged 20 cents/lb in 2022/23
Trade Interpretation
Brazil, as the reigning king of sweetness, single-handedly supplies two-thirds of the world's sugar trade, with a single shipment to China capable of sending a million dentists into a state of high alert.
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