Brazil: sugar exports 2009-2022

Brazilian sugar exports amounted to 25.7 million metric tons in the 2021/2022 marketing year, a decrease from the previous year. Nevertheless, in the following year, exports are forecast to increase at some 26.6 million tons.

Brazilian sugar in the global market

Brazil is by far the largest sugar exporter worldwide. Despite the decade-low figure reported in marketing year 2019/20, the South American country still exported nearly twice as much sugar as the runner-up, Thailand. In terms of value, Brazil's sugar exports amounted to nearly nine billion U.S. dollars in 2020, an increase of 69 percent in comparison to the previous year. China, Algeria, and Bangladesh were the leading countries of destination for Brazilian sugar exports that year, accounting combined for almost one third of the export value.

Sugar production

In recent years, sugar exports from Brazil have experienced a similar trend to that of sugar production in the country. However, Brazilian sugar production does not depend solely on the output of its raw material – sugar cane. The second most important crop in terms of production value, sugar cane is also the main feedstock for fuel ethanol production in Brazil. As demand for this biofuel increases – partially due to increases in the mandated gasoline blend – the national sugar output has suffered lately. Nevertheless, with fuel demand at a low, a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brazil's sugar production (and in turn, exports) is forecast to have a record-breaking 2020/21 season.