Global sugar consumption reached 176 MMT in 2022/23, while added sugars are estimated at 110 MMT worldwide, and health impacts are still measured in millions of deaths each year. At the same time, production and trade are shifting at scale, with 182 MMT produced globally in 2022/23 and major exporters moving tens of millions of tons. This post pulls together the figures behind where sugar goes, how it is grown, and what it costs economically, environmentally, and nutritionally.
Key Takeaways
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
In 2022/23 global sugar demand reached 176 MMT alongside major health and environmental concerns worldwide.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumption25 stats
01
In 2022/23, global sugar consumption totaled 176 MMT
02
India consumed 28.5 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
03
China’s sugar consumption was 12.5 MMT in 2022/23
04
United States per capita sugar consumption was 24 kg in 2022
05
Brazil consumed 12.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
06
EU total sugar consumption was 17.2 MMT in 2022/23
07
Indonesia consumed 7.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
08
Pakistan consumed 5.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
09
Mexico consumed 5.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
10
Russia consumed 5.5 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
11
Germany per capita consumption was 38 kg in 2022
12
United Kingdom sugar consumption fell to 40 kg per capita in 2022
13
Egypt consumed 3.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
14
Turkey consumed 3.4 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
15
Bangladesh consumed 1.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
16
Vietnam consumed 2.0 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
17
South Africa consumed 2.1 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
18
Japan consumed 2.0 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
19
Algeria consumed 1.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
20
Iran consumed 2.4 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
21
Thailand consumed 2.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
22
Nigeria consumed 1.7 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
23
Global high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) consumption was 9 MMT in 2022/23
24
Per capita sugar consumption in India was 20 kg in 2022
25
US total caloric sweetener consumption was 137 lbs per capita in 2022
Interpretation
Consumption Interpretation
In the consumption category, global sugar use reached 176 MMT in 2022/23, with major contributors like India at 28.5 MMT and the EU at 17.2 MMT showing that demand is heavily concentrated in large markets.
02 · Category
Economics23 stats
01
The global sugar market value was $72 billion in 2022
02
Brazil’s sugar industry employed 1.2 million people directly in 2022
03
India’s sugar sector contributed 1.1% to national GDP in 2022
04
US sugar program provided $3.8 billion in economic benefits in 2022
05
Global sugar market projected to grow at 4.5% CAGR to 2030
06
EU sugar industry turnover was €15 billion in 2022
07
Thailand sugar exports generated $4.2 billion in revenue in 2022/23
08
Australia’s sugar industry added A$2.5 billion to economy in 2022
09
World sugar stocks-to-use ratio was 40% in 2022/23
10
India’s sugar mills numbered over 500 in 2022
11
US beet sugar factories produced 55% of domestic supply in 2022
12
Global investment in sugar production capacity was $10 billion in 2022
13
Brazil ethanol from sugarcane displaced 1 billion tons CO2 equivalent in 2022
14
Sugar retail prices in US averaged $0.45/lb in 2022
15
India government subsidy to sugar sector was INR 20,000 crore in 2022
16
Global futures trading volume for sugar was 2.5 million contracts in 2022
17
EU quota system abolished led to 20% production increase since 2017
18
China’s sugar self-sufficiency rate was 75% in 2022
19
Sugarcane farming supports 45 million farmers in India in 2022
20
US sugar loan program value reached $1.2 billion in 2022/23
21
Global sugar deficit was 6 MMT in 2022/23
22
Thailand’s sugar industry GDP contribution was 1.5% in 2022
23
Sugarcane prices in Brazil averaged BRL 150/ton in 2022/23
Interpretation
Economics Interpretation
From an economics perspective, the sugar industry is expanding steadily with the global market worth $72 billion in 2022 and projected to grow at a 4.5% CAGR to 2030, while major producers and policies drive real employment and income, including Brazil employing 1.2 million people and the US sugar program delivering $3.8 billion in 2022.
03 · Category
Health18 stats
01
Annual global consumption of added sugars is 110 MMT
02
Excessive sugar intake causes 2.8 million deaths yearly worldwide
03
US adults consume 17 tsp added sugar daily, exceeding limits
04
Sugar-sweetened beverages linked to 184,000 deaths/year globally
05
Childhood obesity rates doubled since 1980 partly due to sugar
06
Diabetes prevalence is 10.5% globally, correlated with sugar intake
07
HFCS consumption associated with 20% higher obesity risk
08
UK sugar tax reduced purchases by 10% in first year
09
Average sugar in US soda is 39g per 12oz can
10
Tooth decay from sugar affects 2.3 billion people globally
11
Added sugars contribute 13% of US adult calories
12
Mexico soda tax cut purchases by 10% post-2014
13
Global fatty liver disease linked to fructose in 25% cases
14
Sugar intake over 25g/day raises CVD risk by 30%
15
Children’s sugar from drinks averages 7 tsp daily in US
16
WHO recommends <10% calories from free sugars
17
Cancer risk increases 12% per 150 calories/day sugar
18
EU front-of-pack labeling reduced sugar sales by 5%
Interpretation
Health Interpretation
From a health perspective, excess sugar intake is responsible for about 2.8 million deaths each year worldwide and is closely tied to rising risks like obesity and diabetes, with US adults averaging 17 teaspoons of added sugar daily and global diabetes affecting 10.5% of people.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production30 stats
01
In 2022/23, global sugar production reached 182 million metric tons (MMT)
02
Brazil produced 39.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23, accounting for 22% of global output
03
India’s sugar production was 35.5 MMT in 2022/23
04
The European Union produced 15.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
05
Thailand produced 10.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
06
China’s sugar production stood at 10.8 MMT in 2022/23
07
Pakistan produced 6.5 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
08
Mexico produced 5.3 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
09
Australia produced 4.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
10
Guatemala produced 2.9 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
11
Indonesia produced 2.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
12
United States produced 8.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23 from beets and cane
13
Russia produced 6.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
14
Turkey produced 2.7 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
15
Colombia produced 2.4 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
16
Egypt produced 2.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
17
Ukraine produced 1.9 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
18
South Africa produced 2.1 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
19
Argentina produced 2.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
20
Vietnam produced 1.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
21
Peru produced 1.3 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
22
Bangladesh produced 1.4 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
23
Philippines produced 2.0 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
24
Cuba produced 1.1 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
25
Global beet sugar production was 42 MMT in 2022/23
26
Cane sugar production dominated with 140 MMT globally in 2022/23
27
India’s sugarcane area harvested was 5.1 million hectares in 2022/23
28
Brazil’s sugarcane yield averaged 74 tons per hectare in 2022/23
29
EU sugar beet yield reached 80 tons per hectare in 2022/23
30
Global sugarcane production hit 1.9 billion tons in 2022/23
Interpretation
Production Interpretation
Global sugar production hit 182 million metric tons in 2022/23, with Brazil alone delivering 39.2 MMT and producing 22% of the total, underscoring how concentrated output is within the production category.
05 · Category
Sustainability19 stats
01
Sugarcane farming emits 15-25 tons CO2 per hectare annually
02
Brazil’s sugarcane ethanol reduces GHG by 70% vs gasoline
03
Global sugar industry water usage is 200 liters per kg of sugar
04
Deforestation for sugarcane in Brazil was 0.5% of total in 2022
05
EU sugar beet farming uses 150 kg N fertilizer per hectare
06
India sugarcane sector recycles 70% of wastewater in mills
07
Global sugar production contributes 1% to agricultural GHG emissions
08
Bagasse from sugarcane generates 25% of mill energy needs
09
Pesticide use in sugarcane is 2.5 kg/ha globally
10
Brazil zero-till sugarcane covers 50% of area, reducing erosion
11
Sugar industry in Thailand uses 90% renewable energy in mills
12
Global land for sugarcane is 26 million ha
13
Water stress affects 40% of sugarcane production areas
14
Organic sugar production is 1% of total global output
15
Sugarcane ash recycling improves soil carbon by 20%
16
EU aims for 50% reduction in sugar beet pesticide use by 2030
17
Biofertilizers used on 15% of Indian sugarcane area
18
Global sugar transport emits 50 million tons CO2 yearly
19
Sugarcane biodiversity initiatives cover 10 million ha in Brazil
Interpretation
Sustainability Interpretation
From a sustainability perspective, the industry is showing a meaningful emissions and resource performance pattern, with Brazil’s sugarcane ethanol cutting GHG by 70% versus gasoline while overall water use averages 200 liters per kg of sugar.
06 · Category
Trade25 stats
01
In 2022/23, Brazil exported 31.5 MMT of sugar
02
Global sugar trade volume was 47 MMT in 2022/23
03
Thailand exported 6.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
04
India exported 7.9 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
05
EU imported 3.2 MMT of raw sugar in 2022/23
06
Australia exported 3.4 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
07
Guatemala exported 2.7 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
08
United States imported 4.5 MMT of sugar in 2022/23 under quotas
09
China imported 5.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
10
Indonesia imported 5.7 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
11
Bangladesh imported 2.5 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
12
Malaysia imported 2.1 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
13
Algeria imported 1.9 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
14
Saudi Arabia imported 1.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
15
United Arab Emirates imported 1.4 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
16
Morocco imported 1.5 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
17
United States exported 0.5 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
18
Ukraine exported 0.8 MMT of sugar in 2022/23 before disruptions
19
Colombia exported 2.2 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
20
South Africa exported 0.6 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
21
Peru exported 1.0 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
22
Cuba exported 0.3 MMT of sugar in 2022/23
23
Top destination for Brazilian sugar exports was China with 15 MMT in 2022/23
24
EU sugar exports totaled 2.1 MMT in 2022/23
25
Global raw sugar prices averaged 20 cents/lb in 2022/23
Interpretation
Trade Interpretation
From a trade perspective, global sugar flows reached 47 MMT in 2022/23 with Brazil alone exporting 31.5 MMT, meaning the largest supplier dominated overall export volumes while key exporters like Thailand at 6.8 MMT and India at 7.9 MMT made up a smaller share and the EU imported 3.2 MMT of raw sugar.
report visual · Breakdown
Where sugar supply comes from: production vs consumption (2022/23)
Global sugar production was close to consumption in 2022/23—highlighting how tightly supply and demand move together.
75%
China’s sugar self-sufficiency rate was 75% in 2022
25%
Global fatty liver disease linked to fructose in 25% cases
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Elif Demirci. (2026, February 13). Sugar Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sugar-industry-statistics
MLA
Elif Demirci. "Sugar Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/sugar-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Elif Demirci. 2026. "Sugar Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sugar-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
30 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level