| United States Department of Agriculture |
| Foreign Agricultural Service |
| Circular Series FS 01-99 |
| May 1999 |
|
|
Sugar: World Markets and Trade |
Brazil is forecast to remain the world’s largest sugar producer and exporter for the second straight year, surpassing both India and the European Union. Sugar production in 1999/00 is forecast at a record 19.0 million metric tons, an increase of 4 percent from the 1998/99 output. Brazilian production has grown by more than 90 percent since 1993/94, increasing its share of world production from 9 percent to over 14 percent. Brazilian sugar production continues to grow in large part due to high alcohol stocks and an increase in the price of sugar relative to alcohol. Exports in 1999/00 are forecast to increase to a record 8.8 million tons, a 4-percent increase from the previous year. Brazil has grown from the third largest sugar exporter in 1993/94, accounting for 10 percent of world exports, to the largest exporter in 1999/00, accounting for 25 percent of world exports. Each year, Brazil exports more than 100,000 tons of sugar to at least 10 countries, with Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia as the largest markets. Brazilian exporters expect increased shipments in 1999/00 as trade is stimulated by significant domestic surpluses and individual enterprises’ need to generate cash flow. Some sources indicate that Brazilian exports could be even greater, depending on the level of international competition and world sugar market prices.
 |
|