Sugar cane market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

Brazil's sugar cane production for human consumption showed moderate growth from 747.6 million tonnes in 2018 to 756.1 million tonnes in 2020. This expansion was facilitated by the 2019 revocation of a decree that had limited the expansion of cane cultivation in the Amazon and Pantanal regions, easing financing and allowing for increased planted area. Concurrently, major industry players like Tereos S.A. invested in automation and digitalization to enhance agricultural monitoring and operational efficiency, which helped contain costs. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reduced fuel demand, leading mills to divert a larger share of the harvest toward sugar production, which supported overall output.

A severe drought and frost in 2021 significantly damaged crops, causing production to fall to 715.7 million tonnes. The market recovered to 725.7 million tonnes in 2022, aided by the ongoing rollout of automation in processing plants and a strategic partnership between Raízen and ASR Group to establish a traceable, non-GMO sugar supply chain, which bolstered market activity. Output then surged to 782.1 million tonnes in 2023 as producers shifted more cane toward sugar manufacturing instead of ethanol, motivated by favorable international sugar prices, which offset the persistent challenges posed by adverse weather conditions.

Production sugar cane in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, M t

On a global scale, Brazil was the world's leading producer of sugar cane from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of sugar cane, 2018-2021

World map of production of sugar cane, 2018-2021

Brazil's sugar cane production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2021, the country produced 715.7 million tonnes, marking a gradual 5.3% decrease compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 4.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.4%. The peak was recorded in 2020 at 756.1 million tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 0.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, M t

Exports sugar cane from Brazil

Exports in kind, t

Sugar cane exports from Brazil have grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, Brazil exported 347.6 tonnes, representing a year-over-year surge of 11,258.0%. From 2018 to 2021, exports skyrocketed by 73,379.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 802.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States accounted for nearly all of Brazil's sugar cane exports in volume, holding a 97.6% share of total shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports varied dramatically, with a 724-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2021. In 2021, Brazil's sugar cane export value reached 578.8 thousand US dollars, an abrupt increase of 12,785.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, with a 30.6% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the United States dominated Brazil's sugar cane export structure in value terms, consistently making up 97.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Imports sugar cane to Brazil

Based on desk research, there were no imports of sugar cane into Brazil from 2018 to 2021.