Brazil dominates the global sugar industry, contributing 22% of the world’s supply.
According to the National Supply Company’s data, the nation’s yearly production is nearing 41 million tons, an 11% surge from the previous cycle.
The average export value of each ton is estimated at around US$500, based on Brazil’s export revenue from January to July 2023.
Sugar production in Brazil predominantly relies on sugarcane.
Current projections estimate the sugarcane harvest at approximately 655 million tons, marking a near 7% increase from the last harvest.
The sugarcane cultivation in Brazil dates back to the Portuguese settlers, with São Paulo evolving from the captaincy of São Vicente, becoming a primary cultivation hub.
Today, São Paulo is the nation’s leading producer of sugarcane and derived products.
The state accounts for over half of Brazil’s sugarcane harvest and 60% of its sugar production.
It also produces 55% of Brazilian ethanol.
For the current season, São Paulo is expected to harvest 330 million tons of sugarcane, yielding 24 million tons of sugar and 12 billion liters of ethanol.
Regarding sugar production, São Paulo alone outdoes the European Union’s estimated 15 million tons.
As per the United States Department of Agriculture, the European Union ranks third globally, with India (36 million tons) in second place.
If São Paulo were independent, its sugar output would rank as the world’s second-largest, pushing Brazil, excluding São Paulo, to third with just over 16 million tons.