Sugar cane market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the U.S. sugar cane market volume fluctuated, peaking at 32.8 thousand tons in 2020 before settling at 29.9 thousand tons in 2023. Over the same period, the market's value in monetary terms more than halved, declining from $23.6 billion to $12.5 billion, indicating significant shifts in price levels or market composition.

In 2024, the market environment was shaped by rising consumer demand for natural sweeteners and sustainable production. Major industry investments, such as Bunge's $120 million upgrade to refining facilities, aimed to enhance efficiency and cater to growing industrial demand from food and beverage sectors, while health-conscious trends supported preference for organic cane sugar products.

Production sugar cane in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States ranked 9th globally in sugar cane production.

Top producers of sugar cane, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar cane, 2017-2020

In 2020, the United States produced 32 749 K t of sugar cane, marking a significant 13.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 28 973 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 7.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports sugar cane from the United States

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 149 t, with the largest decline of 45.4% that year. In 2019, exports peaked at 279 t, showing the largest increase of 87.2%. By 2020, exports dropped to 180 t, a decrease of 35.5% from 2019, resulting in a 1.9-fold variation between the maximum in 2019 and the minimum in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, Ukraine, and Hong Kong were the primary markets for sugar cane exports in kind. Canada accounted for 56.1% of exports, Ukraine for 14.2%, and Hong Kong for 10.1%, together representing 80.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, sugar cane exports from the United States totaled 119 K $ US, reflecting a 23.3% year-over-year decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 21.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 112 K $ US, with the largest decline of 26.0% that year. Exports peaked in 2019 at 156 K $ US, showing the largest increase of 38.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, Ukraine, and Hong Kong were the principal destinations for sugar cane exports in value terms. Canada represented 67.3% of exports, Ukraine 9.3%, and Hong Kong 6.6%, jointly accounting for 83.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports sugar cane to the United States

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 1 843 t, with the largest decline of 29.5% that year. In 2020, imports surged to 22 759 t, an abrupt gain of 400.9% from the previous year, reaching their maximum and creating a swing of 12.3 times between the 2018 minimum and 2020 peak.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and Mexico were the dominant sources for sugar cane imports in kind to the United States, jointly accounting for 87.7% of total import flows, while the remaining volume was distributed among smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports reached their minimum in 2018 at 1 401 K $ US, with the largest decline of 3.7% that year. In 2020, cross-border shipments of sugar cane to the United States stood at 11 991 K $ US, which is 375.5% higher compared to the previous year, marking the maximum and resulting in an 8.6-fold variation between the 2018 low and 2020 high.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2017-2020, Brazil and Mexico acted as the dominant destinations for sugar cane imports in value terms, jointly taking 89.2% of total import flows and leaving the remaining share to other markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020