Ladies and gentlemen, gather around, grab your cups of tea or cola – it’s sugar time! We’re diving into an article that is more sweet than a child’s birthday party, and just as full of surprises! Read on as we traverse the sticky, sweet landscape of the global sugar trade, and trust me, there are no cavities here!
So, let’s start with some sugar-coated statistics – did you know that in 2022/2023, the world produced about 177 million metric tons of sugar? That’s enough sugar to sweeten the tears of every stern schoolteacher since the dawn of time. And hitting the sweet spot is none other than Brazil, showing off its dazzling white crystals as the world’s top sugar exporter. Almost 36 million tons of sugar? More like they’re exporting joy in a granulated form!
In a wave of oh-so-sweet competition, we next have Thailand stepping up to the plate, exporting 10 million metric tons. Thailand has mastered the craft of sugar production and is sending its sugary love to places like Indonesia, South Korea, and even Cambodia. Let’s just hope they’re not trying to woo their neighbors with a sugar overdose, I mean, that’s what sugar daddies are for, right?
Then we have India, not just known for its spicy curries but also for gifting the world 4.6 million metric tons of sugar! Sweet, sweet India—where the sugar consumption is so high, they should probably consider having sugar as a national sport! “I run marathons, and consume 31 metric tons of sugar per year, what’s your superpower?” Quite the buzz there!
Now, don’t overlook our mates down under – Australia, which produces a lot more than just kangaroo burgers! With 3.36 million metric tons of sugar to export, they’ve kept the sugar gliders happy, and by “sugar gliders” I mean their exports to countries like Japan and Indonesia. “Crikey! That sugar is sweet!”
And then we whisk away to Guatemala with its 1.38 million metric tons. They’re having a rough patch due to some bad weather – ugly sugar storms wreaking havoc like a toddler with a sugar rush! But they’re still in the game, like a determined contestant on The Great British Bake Off, refusing to let the soufflé fall.
On the European front, the EU makes an appearance with 1.12 million metric tons, showing us that beet sugar is not just for rabbit holes, it’s for export too! And isn’t that just a delightful surprise? Imagine little beetroot plants in tuxedos, shipping off their sugary goodness to the world!
Last but certainly not least, we’ve got the United Arab Emirates sneaking in with a sassy 620,000 metric tons. They’re raking in the bucks like a billionaire at a sugar buffet. Look out, Middle East; they’ve got sugar flowing in faster than the oil!
So there you have it! From Brazil’s candy-covered heights to the UAE’s sugar-laden your-way-deals, we’ve traversed the sweet, sweet world of sugar exports. And let me just say, this sugar market is more competitive than a game of Monopoly on family game night! Keep an eye on these countries, folks, because sugar is the ultimate global party crasher – it’ll sneak into anything!
Whether you’re a fan of beet, cane, or just enjoy sugar in your coffee while reading articles that blend humor with facts, remember this: behind every great dessert, there’s a country working diligently, exporting the magic – one sweet crystal at a time! Bon appétit!
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Sugar, renowned for its delightful sweetness and sparkling crystal-like appearance, is an indispensable commodity across the globe, playing a vital role in enhancing the flavors of countless food and beverage products. According to data from Statista, global sugar production for the year 2022/2023 peaked at approximately 177 million metric tons.
In South America, Brazil is the undisputed champion, reigning as the largest exporter of sugar worldwide. Other key players such as Thailand, India, and Australia significantly contribute to the global sugar market.
List of Sugar-Exporting Countries in 2023/2024
The following highlights the top seven sugar-exporting countries globally for 2023/2024, according to Statista:
1. Brazil (35.97 million metric tons)
Brazil proudly continues its legacy as the world’s preeminent sugar exporter, having shipped nearly 36 million tons of sugar throughout 2023/2024. This achievement can largely be attributed to the country’s robust domestic production, as Brazil is also one of the largest cultivators of sugar cane globally. The nation’s sugar exports primarily include white, crystal, and brown sugar, catering to a variety of global markets.
2. Thailand (10 million metric tons)
Thailand’s sugar export operations are markedly flourishing, with the nation directing raw sugar supplies to countries including Indonesia, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, and the Philippines, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC).
3. India (4.6 million metric tons)
India’s sugar export forecast for the 2023/2024 period is estimated at 4.6 million metric tons, predominantly reaching markets in Sudan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Somalia, and Saudi Arabia. In addition to being a leading sugar exporter, India also claims the title for the highest global sugar consumption, expected to reach approximately 31 metric tons within the same time frame, per insights from Statista.
4. Australia (3.36 million metric tons)
Australia, while primarily recognized for its vast mineral resources, is also a key participant in the global sugar export arena. The nation is projected to export around 3.36 million metric tons of sugar during 2023/2024. This substantial figure is driven by an annual raw sugar production of approximately 4 million tons, with an impressive 85 percent of that quantity earmarked for export to countries such as South Korea, Japan, and Indonesia.
5. Guatemala (1.38 million metric tons)
Guatemala remains one of the largest sugar exporters worldwide, despite facing challenges like adverse weather and declining production yields in 2023/2024. Nevertheless, the Central American nation has successfully bolstered its sugar export volume, with about 1.38 million tons shipped during this export season.
6. European Union (1.12 million metric tons)
The European Union (EU) is a significant player in the global sugar export market, with a projected total export volume reaching 1.12 million metric tons for 2023/2024. It is noteworthy that the EU is recognized as a leading producer of beet sugar, accounting for approximately 50 percent of global production, complemented by a robust refining industry that processes imported raw cane sugar.
7. United Arab Emirates (620,000 metric tons)
Lastly, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) contributed roughly 620,000 metric tons of sugar exports in 2023/2024. Revenues generated from raw sugar exports amounted to an impressive US$574 million during 2022, according to the OEC. The UAE primarily directs its sugar exports to neighboring Middle Eastern and African nations, including Sudan, Libya, Israel, and Iran.
From Brazil’s vast plantations to the dessert markets of the UAE, each of these seven nations plays a crucial role in shaping the global sugar landscape. For further exploration of this topic, check out our latest list of the top sugar-importing countries in the world.
Statista
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