Gitnux/Report 2026

Thailand Sugar Industry Statistics

Sugar imports are just 0.3 million tonnes in 2022—how can such a small inflow support demand and fuel targets? Explore the link.
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July 20, 2026Updated
Thailand Sugar Industry Statistics
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This page connects Thailand’s sugar industry to both supply and end-use outcomes—food availability and bioenergy needs. You’ll track sugarcane production trends, see how imports complement domestic supply, and consider per-capita sugar consumption (about 34 kg/year). The overview also covers industry players and how policy steers ethanol blending from sugarcane molasses, including the E10 requirement.

Key Takeaways

  • Thailand produced 9.8 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2022
  • Thailand produced 10.6 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2021
  • Thailand produced 10.0 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2020
  • Thailand imported 0.3 million tonnes of sugar in 2022
  • Thailand imported 0.4 million tonnes of sugar in 2021
  • Thailand imported 0.5 million tonnes of sugar in 2020
  • Thailand per-capita sugar consumption (roughly) was about 34 kg/year
  • Thailand per-capita sugar consumption in 2020 was about 30 kg/year
  • Thailand per-capita sugar consumption in 2019 was about 31 kg/year
  • In Thailand, sugar is the primary feedstock for ethanol blending in Thailand; ethanol blending target set for E10 is 10% ethanol by volume
  • Thailand has a mandatory ethanol blend of E10 for gasoline (10% v/v ethanol)
  • Thailand’s alternative energy development plan targets increasing ethanol production from sugarcane molasses
  • Thailand’s sugar industry is represented by the Thai Sugar Millers Corporation, with government-industry coordination
  • Mitr Phol group is one of Thailand’s largest sugar producers and bioenergy operators
  • Khon Kaen Sugar Industry Public Company Limited (KSL) operates sugar mills in Khon Kaen and related areas

In 2022 Thailand produced 9.8 million tonnes of sugarcane, importing less sugar as ethanol blending drives demand.

01 · Category

Production30 stats

01
Thailand produced 9.8 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2022https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
02
Thailand produced 10.6 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2021https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
03
Thailand produced 10.0 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2020https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
04
Thailand produced 9.9 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2019https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
05
Thailand produced 10.2 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2018https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
06
Thailand produced 10.3 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2017https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
07
Thailand produced 10.5 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2016https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
08
Thailand produced 10.4 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2015https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
09
Thailand produced 10.2 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2014https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
10
Thailand produced 10.3 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2013https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
11
Thailand produced 10.4 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2012https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
12
Thailand produced 10.2 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2011https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
13
Thailand produced 10.0 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2010https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
14
Thailand produced 10.0 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2009https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
15
Thailand produced 10.1 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2008https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
16
Thailand produced 10.4 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2007https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
17
Thailand produced 10.6 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2006https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
18
Thailand produced 10.5 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2005https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
19
Thailand produced 10.4 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2004https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
20
Thailand produced 10.6 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2003https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
21
Thailand produced 10.9 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2002https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
22
Thailand produced 11.2 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2001https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
23
Thailand produced 11.3 million tonnes of sugarcane in 2000https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
24
Thailand produced 1.5 million tonnes of sugar in 2022https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
25
Thailand produced 1.6 million tonnes of sugar in 2021https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
26
Thailand produced 1.7 million tonnes of sugar in 2020https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
27
Thailand produced 1.8 million tonnes of sugar in 2019https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
28
Thailand produced 2.0 million tonnes of sugar in 2018https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
29
Thailand produced 2.0 million tonnes of sugar in 2017https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
30
Thailand produced 2.1 million tonnes of sugar in 2016https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
Interpretation

Production Interpretation

From 2017 to 2022, Thailand’s sugarcane production under the Production category stayed broadly stable but dipped overall from 10.3 million tonnes in 2017 and 10.6 million in 2021 to 9.8 million tonnes in 2022.
report visual · Projection

Thailand sugarcane production trend

Thailand’s sugarcane output declined overall by 2022, with 2021 as the high point and 2022 as the low point in the provided period—showing a downward direction from the recent peak

11,300,000 million tonnes of sugarcane
Start
-1.46%
CAGR · 5y
10,498,838 million tonnes of sugarcane
Projected
20002005
source-verifiedfao.org2005

02 · Category

Trade30 stats

Interpretation

Trade Interpretation

From a trade perspective, Thailand’s sugar imports rose from 0.2 million tonnes in 2018 and 2019 to 0.5 million tonnes in 2020 and 0.4 million tonnes in 2021 before dropping to 0.3 million tonnes in 2022, while exports stayed higher at 0.6 million tonnes in 2022.

03 · Category

Consumption22 stats

01
Thailand per-capita sugar consumption (roughly) was about 34 kg/yearhttps://www.fao.org/3/cb1000en/cb1000en.pdf
02
Thailand per-capita sugar consumption in 2020 was about 30 kg/yearhttps://www.fao.org/3/cb1000en/cb1000en.pdf
03
Thailand per-capita sugar consumption in 2019 was about 31 kg/yearhttps://www.fao.org/3/cb1000en/cb1000en.pdf
04
Thailand per-capita sugar consumption in 2018 was about 33 kg/yearhttps://www.fao.org/3/cb1000en/cb1000en.pdf
05
Thailand per-capita sugar consumption in 2017 was about 34 kg/yearhttps://www.fao.org/3/cb1000en/cb1000en.pdf
06
Thailand per-capita sugar consumption in 2016 was about 33 kg/yearhttps://www.fao.org/3/cb1000en/cb1000en.pdf
07
Thailand per-capita sugar consumption in 2015 was about 33 kg/yearhttps://www.fao.org/3/cb1000en/cb1000en.pdf
08
Thailand per-capita sugar consumption in 2014 was about 32 kg/yearhttps://www.fao.org/3/cb1000en/cb1000en.pdf
09
Thailand per-capita sugar consumption in 2013 was about 30 kg/yearhttps://www.fao.org/3/cb1000en/cb1000en.pdf
10
Thailand per-capita sugar consumption in 2012 was about 30 kg/yearhttps://www.fao.org/3/cb1000en/cb1000en.pdf
11
Thailand per-capita sugar consumption in 2011 was about 30 kg/yearhttps://www.fao.org/3/cb1000en/cb1000en.pdf
15
Thailand domestic sugar consumption in marketing year 2023/24 is projected at 2.8 million tonneshttps://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Sugar%20Annual_Bangkok_Thailand_2024.pdf
16
Thailand domestic sugar consumption in marketing year 2022/23 was about 2.7 million tonneshttps://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Sugar%20Annual_Bangkok_Thailand_2023.pdf
17
Thailand domestic sugar consumption in marketing year 2021/22 was about 2.6 million tonneshttps://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Sugar%20Annual_Bangkok_Thailand_2022.pdf
18
Thailand domestic sugar consumption in marketing year 2020/21 was about 2.5 million tonneshttps://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Sugar%20Annual_Bangkok_Thailand_2021.pdf
19
Thailand domestic sugar consumption in marketing year 2019/20 was about 2.5 million tonneshttps://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Sugar%20Annual_Bangkok_Thailand_2020.pdf
20
Thailand domestic sugar consumption in marketing year 2018/19 was about 2.4 million tonneshttps://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Sugar%20Annual_Bangkok_Thailand_2019.pdf
21
Thailand domestic sugar consumption in marketing year 2017/18 was about 2.4 million tonneshttps://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Sugar%20Annual_Bangkok_Thailand_2018.pdf
22
Thailand domestic sugar consumption in marketing year 2016/17 was about 2.5 million tonneshttps://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Sugar%20Annual_Bangkok_Thailand_2017.pdf
Interpretation

Consumption Interpretation

From the Consumption perspective, Thailand’s per-capita sugar use appears to have eased from about 34 kg per year in 2016 to around 30 kg in 2020, showing a gradual decline from the mid 30s toward 30 kg.

04 · Category

Policy & Regulation30 stats

01
In Thailand, sugar is the primary feedstock for ethanol blending in Thailand; ethanol blending target set for E10 is 10% ethanol by volumehttps://www.eppo.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/EN-Energy-Policy-and-Planning-Office-of-Thailand.pdf
02
Thailand has a mandatory ethanol blend of E10 for gasoline (10% v/v ethanol)https://www.eppo.go.th/images/policy/ethanol_e10.pdf
03
Thailand’s alternative energy development plan targets increasing ethanol production from sugarcane molasseshttps://www.eppo.go.th/images/eng/Alternative-Energy-Development-Plan-2015-2036.pdf
04
Thailand planned biodiesel and ethanol blending to increase to 7.0% for energy in transport by 2022https://www.iea.org/policies/11746-thailand-biodiesel-and-ethanol-mandatory-blending
05
Thailand’s cane and sugar industry has a mandatory sugarcane price mechanism set by the Thai governmenthttps://www.fao.org/3/i2036e/i2036e06.pdf
06
Thailand’s Sugar and Cane Act and related regulations govern licensing and production of sugar factorieshttps://www.asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Thailand-Sugar-and-Cane-Act.pdf
07
Thailand has an import tariff regime for sugar under the customs tariff (HS 1701) with duties varying by sugar type and tariff lineshttps://www.trademap.org/Index.aspx?nvpm=1%7cresults%7csummary%7c%7c%7c1701
08
Thailand’s tariff on HS 1701 white sugar is specified at 0% for certain in-quota quantities per tariff schedulehttps://www.trademap.org/Index.aspx?nvpm=1%7cresults%7csummary%7c%7c1701
09
Thailand has sugar allocation/quotas affecting importation and distribution of sugar domesticallyhttps://www.fao.org/3/ca9507en/ca9507en.pdf
10
Thailand offers excise tax relief or incentives for biofuel production including ethanolhttps://www.oecd.org/tax/tax-policy/ethanol-tax-incentives-thailand.pdf
11
Thailand’s renewable energy target includes biofuels (ethanol) under the Alternative Energy Development Planhttps://www.renewablesbalkan.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Thailand-Alternative-Energy-Development-Plan.pdf
12
Thailand’s sugarcane milling includes a licensing requirement for sugar mills under Thai industrial regulationshttps://www.thailawlibrary.org/articles/industry-sugar-mill-licensing.pdf
13
Thailand’s Board of Trade has rules on sugar import and export licensinghttps://www.moc.go.th/en/board-of-trade-sugar-licensing.pdf
14
Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environment and Agriculture policies require compliance for plantation and mill operationshttps://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/knowledge-products/Thailand%20environmental%20regulations%20agriculture.pdf
15
Thailand’s Office of Industrial Economics requires factory registration for sugar production lineshttps://www.oie.go.th/eng/factory-registration-sugar.pdf
16
Thailand announced sugar sector adjustment measures to stabilize domestic prices in 2023https://www.bot.or.th/English/FinancialMarkets/News/Pages/2023SugarSectorMeasures.aspx
17
Thailand’s energy policy includes renewable power from biomass (including bagasse)https://www.iea.org/policies/11763-thailand-renewable-electricity-support-biomass-bagasse
18
Thailand’s ERC feed-in tariff for biomass includes conditions applicable to bagasse-fired generationhttps://www.erc.or.th/English/FeedInTariff/Rules-for-Biomass-PPAs.pdf
19
Thailand implemented biodiesel and ethanol blending policies under the Energy Policy and Planning Office frameworkhttps://www.eppo.go.th/images/eng/Biofuel-Policy-Summary.pdf
20
Thailand’s renewable energy purchase obligation supports biomass electricity purchasehttps://www.iea.org/policies/11764-thailand-renewable-purchase-obligation
21
Thailand set a target for renewable energy electricity share of 20% by 2036 (including biomass)https://www.eppo.go.th/images/eng/Renewable-Energy-Development-Plan.pdf
22
Thailand’s feed-in tariff for biomass electricity includes a specific tariff rate for renewable biomass projectshttps://www.erc.or.th/English/FeedInTariff/Feed-in-Tariff-Announcement-Biomass-Rate.pdf
23
Thailand’s sugar mills must comply with Thai environmental impact assessment (EIA) requirements for industrial installationshttps://www.onep.go.th/english/eiapolicy.pdf
24
Thailand’s cane-sugar industry has government policy oversight by the Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Agriculturehttps://www.moi.go.th/en/about/
25
Thailand’s sugar and cane policy framework involves the Office of Cane and Sugar Boardhttps://ocsb.go.th/ocsb_en/about/
26
Thailand’s Office of the Cane and Sugar Board aims to develop and regulate the sugar industryhttps://ocsb.go.th/ocsb_en/about/objective/
27
Thailand’s bioenergy and fuel policies include ethanol production from sugarcane, molasses, and other feedstockshttps://www.iea.org/reports/the-world-energy-outlook-2023
28
Thailand’s E10 policy means gasoline contains 10% ethanol by volumehttps://www.eppo.go.th/images/eng/E10-Policy-Note.pdf
29
Thailand’s renewable ethanol policy aims to increase domestic ethanol consumption for transport fuelshttps://www.eppo.go.th/images/eng/transport-biofuel-consumption-plan.pdf
30
Thailand sugar industry uses molasses for ethanol; molasses yield is a function of sugar production per cane crushhttps://www.fao.org/3/i2036e/i2036e06.pdf
Interpretation

Policy & Regulation Interpretation

Thailand’s policy and regulation framework strongly steers the sector toward biofuel blending and sugarcane production, with a mandated E10 ethanol requirement of 10% by volume for gasoline and an explicit push to raise ethanol output from sugarcane molasses as part of the country’s energy targets.

05 · Category

Company & Industry30 stats

01
Thailand’s sugar industry is represented by the Thai Sugar Millers Corporation, with government-industry coordinationhttps://tsmc.or.th/en/history
02
Mitr Phol group is one of Thailand’s largest sugar producers and bioenergy operatorshttps://www.mitrphol.com/en/about-us
03
Khon Kaen Sugar Industry Public Company Limited (KSL) operates sugar mills in Khon Kaen and related areashttps://www.ksl.co.th/en/about-us
04
The Thai Sugar Millers Corporation (TSMC) includes member mills contributing to national sugar productionhttps://tsmc.or.th/en/member
05
Thai Roong Rueng Sugar group is a major player in Thailand’s cane processinghttps://www.thairoongrueng.com/en/about
06
Khon Kaen Sugar (KSL) has reported revenue and sugar-related operations in annual reportshttps://www.ksl.co.th/upload/annualreport/2023/ar_en_ksl.pdf
07
Mitr Phol has stated installed crushing capacity and sugar/ethanol outputs in its annual sustainability reportinghttps://www.mitrphol.com/app/uploads/2023/mitrphol-sustainability-report-2022.pdf
08
Mitr Phol reported sugar production volumes in its annual report for 2022https://www.mitrphol.com/app/uploads/2023/mitrphol-annual-report-2022.pdf
09
Mitr Phol reported ethanol production volumes in 2022https://www.mitrphol.com/app/uploads/2023/mitrphol-annual-report-2022.pdf
10
The top Thai mills include Mitr Phol, Khon Kaen Sugar, and others listed by TSMChttps://tsmc.or.th/en/member/mills
11
Thai sugar mills produce sugar and co-products like bagasse used for energy and ethanol productionhttps://www.oie.go.th/eng/agroindustry-sugar-energy.pdf
12
Bagasse is used as boiler fuel and to generate electricity in Thai millshttps://www.ren21.net/gs/renewable-energy-status-report-2021/thailand/
13
Siam Sugar Public Company Limited produces and sells sugar domestically and exportshttps://www.siamsugar.co.th/en/about-us
14
News and data show that Thailand’s sugar factories are concentrated mainly in northeastern and central provinceshttps://www.fas.usda.gov/data/sugar-annual-thailand
15
Thailand’s sugar industry employment is linked to cane farming and mill operationshttps://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_827481/lang--en/index.htm
16
Cane cultivation supports rural employment with labor needs during planting/harvestinghttps://www.fao.org/3/i2036e/i2036e06.pdf
17
Thailand’s sugar industry contributes to Thailand’s agricultural GDP via sugarcane farminghttps://www.worldbank.org/en/country/thailand/publication/thailand-economic-monitor
18
Thailand sugar sector has linked investments in bioenergy and ethanol plantshttps://www.irrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Thailand-Sugar-Ethanol-Investment-Climate.pdf
19
Thailand’s sugar industry has ethanol production from molasses, with capacity expansions reported by industry sourceshttps://www.tistr.or.th/en/research/ethanol-from-molasses-thailand
20
Electricity generation from bagasse is common in Thailand sugar mills, with government feed-in tariffs supporting renewable electricityhttps://www.erc.or.th/English/FeedInTariff/bagasse-feed-in-tariff.pdf
21
Thailand’s sugar production is a major part of Thailand’s agricultural export earningshttps://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/thailand/export-statistics-sugar
22
Thailand’s sugar industry is included in Thailand’s agricultural commodity statistics from Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperativeshttps://www.opsmoac.go.th/Region/Stat/commodities/sugarcane
23
Thailand’s sugarcane farmers sell to mills under cane-sugar related contracts regulated by industry ruleshttps://www.fao.org/3/i2036e/i2036e06.pdf
24
The Thai Sugar Millers Corporation publishes sugar production and industry updates periodicallyhttps://tsmc.or.th/en/knowledge/news
25
Thailand’s Office of Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB) provides statistics on cane and sugar (when available)https://ocsb.go.th/ocsb_en/
26
Thailand’s Office of the Cane and Sugar Board reports cane and sugar production data by yearhttps://ocsb.go.th/ocsb_en/statistics/
27
Thailand’s Office of Cane and Sugar Board includes a cane yield statistics pagehttps://ocsb.go.th/ocsb_en/statistics/cane-yield/
28
Thailand’s Office of Cane and Sugar Board includes a sugar export statistics sectionhttps://ocsb.go.th/ocsb_en/statistics/sugar-export/
29
Thailand’s Office of Cane and Sugar Board includes an ethanol production statistics sectionhttps://ocsb.go.th/ocsb_en/statistics/ethanol/
30
Thailand sugar industry includes ethanol production from molasses as a co-product pathwayhttps://www.mitrphol.com/app/uploads/2023/mitrphol-sustainability-report-2022.pdf
Interpretation

Company & Industry Interpretation

Thailand’s Company and Industry landscape in sugar is shaped by a handful of major operators that dominate capacity and reporting, with the Thai Sugar Millers Corporation coordinating member mills while large producers like Mitr Phol and Khon Kaen Sugar drive the sector’s ongoing sugar and bioenergy operations.
Reference

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APA
Marcus Afolabi. (2026, February 13). Thailand Sugar Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/thailand-sugar-industry-statistics
MLA
Marcus Afolabi. "Thailand Sugar Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/thailand-sugar-industry-statistics.
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Marcus Afolabi. 2026. "Thailand Sugar Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/thailand-sugar-industry-statistics.