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Sugar: World Markets and
Trade
November 1997
Australian Sugar
Production and Exports Expected to Continue to Surge
Australia's sugar production and exports in 1997/98 are
forecast at record levels, respectively at 5.9 and 4.5 million
tons. Australia currently is the world's sixth largest sugar
producer and the third largest exporter. Production has increased
by 84 percent since 1991/92 and exports have nearly doubled. This
growth is due to continued expansion of the sugar cane area,
increased milling efficiency, and growing international demand.
Many sources expect this growth to continue, with sugar
production projected at 6.4 million tons in martketing year
2001/02. Australia is one of the world's lowest cost producers of
sugar. Australia's sugar exports are also expected to continue to
grow since domestic consumption is expected to grow according to
the population growth rate. The rapid growth in sugar consumption
in Asia has prompted the Australian industry to focus its exports
on that region. For example, Asia accounted for about 64 percent
of Australia's exports in 1995/96 compared to just over 30
percent in the 1970's. In addition to expanding sales to Asia,
Australia is expanding exports to Eastern Europe and the Middle
East.
For more information, contact Debbie Seidband of the Horticultural and Tropical Products Division, Foreign Agricultural Service.
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