Manya Rathore
Research expert covering India
Sugar Industry - statistics & facts
Sugar is one of the most widely consumed commodities on the planet, and demand shows no signs of slowing down, with global intake projected to surpass 178 million metric tons in 2025/26. India leads the way as the world's top consumer, taking in roughly double the amount of China. The European Union follows as the second largest consumer.
From cane fields to beet farms
The world's sugar supply has grown steadily, with global production reaching roughly 189 million metric tons in 2025/26. Brazil leads by a wide margin, while the United States also ranks among the top producers. Sugar comes almost entirely from two crops: sugar cane and sugar beet. Sugar cane accounts for the bulk of output, with Brazil alone responsible for close to 760 million metric tons in 2024. India, China, Pakistan, and Thailand rounded off the five leading cane-producing countries. On the sugar beet side, global output has also been rising, led by Russia, Germany, and France.
A price spike that didn't last
Sugar prices surged in late 2023, when the global commodity price index hit multiyear highs, fueled by weather-related production shortfalls and growing biofuel demand. The rally faded quickly: by early 2026, the index had dropped well below its 2018 baseline. Over the medium term, the global price of white sugar is forecast to remain significantly below its 2022 peak. Record-level output from major producers has eased the supply squeeze that had unsettled the market.
Trade flows and shifting import demand
When it comes to international trade, Brazil once again tops the list of exporters by a commanding margin. Worldwide, total sugar exports were expected to reach approximately 66 million metric tons in 2025/26. On the import side, China, Indonesia, and India ranked as the largest buyers. With production at record highs and prices trending downward, cheaper sugar paired with rising consumption could intensify public health concerns in high-intake markets.
