Public Comment Needed

Sugar is one of the most traded around the world, and is also a significant player in the global commerce industry. The global sugar export sector is very dynamic and it is driven by a variety of factors, such as weather, government policies, and consumer preferences, etc. 

In this blog, we will look at the factors in the global sugar export business, global export trends from 2014-2024, and the recent sugar market size of 2025. 

What Are The Top 10 Sugar Exporting Countries (2024)

Sugar is a natural sweetener and is composed of glucose and fructose molecules. It is an important agro commodity. But which countries are the world's biggest exporters of sugar? Let's take a look at the top 10 sugar-exporting countries. Based on global sugar shipment data and export values in 2024:

Rank

Country

Export Value (USD)

Global Share (%)

1

Brazil

$18.84 billion

23.4%

2

Thailand

$4.50 billion

6.6%

3

India

$4.27 billion

6.3%

4

Germany

$3.97 billion

5.8%

5

USA

$3.00 billion

4.0%

6

China

$3.35 billion

4.4%

7

France

$2.90 billion

4.3%

8

Netherlands

$2.45 billion

3.6%

9

Mexico

$2.33 billion

3.4%

10

Belgium

$2.13 billion

3.1%

So, according to the data, Brazil is the largest sugar exporter globally. Thailand is the world's second largest sugar exporter, exporting less than Brazil. India also maintains a strong position in the global sugar market despite production challenges.

Global Sugar Export Trends: 2014–2024

Year

Export Value (USD)

Export Quantity (MMT)

2014

$47 billion

55 MMT

2015

$40.72 billion

56.5 MMT

2016

$45.52 billion

58.2 MMT

2017

$48.56 billion

60 MMT

2018

$42.13 billion

62.1 MMT

2019

$40.10 billion

64 MMT

2020

$43.22 billion

65.5 MMT

2021

$49.31 billion

66 MMT

2022

$58.71 billion

66.09 MMT

2023

$68.37 billion

68.24 MMT

2024

$70.59 billion

68 MMT

Over the past decade, sugar exports have grown at a 1% CAGR, with volumes consistently increasing, except in years affected by climate anomalies.

Sugar Production Trends: 2015–2024

• Average Global Sugar Production (2015–2024): 178.76 MMT

• 2023–24 Production: 183.83 MMT

• 2024 Production (Est.): 187.9 MMT

• 2024–25 Forecast: 186.62 MMT

• YOY Growth (2023–25): ~2%

Despite challenges, sugar production continues to grow, supported by improved technology, better farm inputs, and rising acreage in key regions.

Types Of Sugar Traded

White Sugar

Sugars are categorized broadly into three types. These three types of sugar are traded on Tradologie which are as follows:

• White Granulated Sugar

• Powdered Sugar

• Superfine Sugar

• Coarse Sugar

• Sanding Sugar

Brown Sugar

Four types of Brown sugar available in the market which are

• Light and Dark Brown Sugars

• Turbinado Sugar

• Muscovado Sugar

• Free-Flowing Brown Sugar

What are the factors affecting the Global Sugar Market? 

The global sugar market is affected by many factors. Some are as follows: 

1. Weather conditions: 

Currently, the weather conditions are very extreme because of climate change. You know Sugar production, particularly of sugarcane, is highly sensitive to weather patterns. Droughts in India, floods in Thailand, and dry spells in Brazil have highly impacted sugarcane yields. So, the supply is unpredictable.

2. Government Policies and Export Bans:

Government agricultural policies such as subsidies, tariffs, trade agreements, etc., and export bans are another one of the most important factors that affect sugar supply and trade flow. 

3. Biofuel production: 

In many countries, sugar can be used to produce biofuel. Government policies related to biofuel production can divert sugar away from the food market, affecting supply. 

4. Changing Consumer Preferences:

Nowadays consumer preferences are changing. The demand for sugar in developing nations is high but substitutes for sugar are gaining popularity in the Western world. So, we can say that health awareness and regulatory pressure are impacting global demand. 

5. Logistics Disruptions:

Geopolitical tensions and disruptions in shipping routes (Suez Canal, Red Sea) have increased freight costs and delayed shipments, impacting sugar export-import timelines globally.

Sugar Market Outlook(2025)

🔹 Production

• Recovery: Will recover moderately in Brazil and the US.

• India and Thailand: Will continue to face weather recovery delays.

🔹 Consumption

• GLP-1 Drugs: Appetite-reducing drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are reducing sugar consumption in high-income countries.

• Emerging Markets: Indonesia, China, and Nigeria will continue to drive demand.

🔹 Prices

• Prices are expected to remain volatile, influenced by:

  • Global supply shocks

  • Policy changes

  • Currency fluctuations

  • Climate events

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can say the global sugar export-import is the backbone of the agricultural commodity market. The economic impact of sugar is significant, with an export value of $70.59 billion and a production volume of 187.9 million metric tons in 2024.

If you want to stay competitive, exporters, importers, and agri-businesses must focus on sustainability, innovation, and strategic partnerships.

Tradologie.com: Your Partner in Global Sugar Trade

If you want to export or import sugar in bulk, tradologie.com is the best platform for this because of: 

• This platform connects you with trusted and verified global sugar buyers and suppliers. 

• You can negotiate real time. 

• This platform ensures secure transactions. 

• Multilingual support and connect you with 100+ countries. 

For Example, a trader in Germany can source Brazilian raw sugar or Indian refined sugar via Tradologie.com with complete price transparency and shipment support.

As we wrap up this informative and insightful blog report, we invite you to explore Tradologie.com for real-time insights into global sugar trade, bulk procurement solutions, and verified supplier connections. To get started or connect with top sugar exporters worldwide, simply register on our platform and let us facilitate your agro-trade journey.