Brazil: sugar production 2009-2021

In crop year 2020/21, Brazil's sugar production is forecast to reach the highest figure in at least 12 years, at more than 42 million metric tons. This would represent an increase of over 40 percent when compared to the previous year, when the South American country had the second lowest output of the decade.

Brazilian sugar worldwide

Brazil is the leading sugar-producing country in the world, and the forecast 2020/21 results would significantly widen the margin against runner-up India. Nevertheless, in terms of domestic sugar consumption, Brazil only ranks fifth. In fact, the country's consumption represented only one third of production in crop year 2019/20, while the highest share of output was directed at exports. With fluctuations in Brazil’s sugar exports following the same trend as production in recent years, exports are expected to hit a decade high in crop year 2020/21.

Sugarcane and biofuels in Brazil

The Brazilian sugar sector has been one of the country’s primary sources of economic development since colonial times. Nowadays, however, sugar cane products are not only a part of culinary culture in Brazil, but account for almost one fifth of the domestic energy supply. Brazilian sugarcane ethanol has been considered one of the most successful biofuels in the global industry. Nevertheless, the decrease in fuel demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to benefit sugar production in the country, yielding the record figure forecast for the latest crop year.