 International
sugar statistics (Source: ED & F Man - 2007/08, Oct/Sep basis.)
The international sugar season runs from September to August |
More than 100 countries produce sugar, 78% of which is made from
sugar cane grown primarily in the tropical and sub-tropical zones of
the southern hemisphere, and the balance from sugar beet which is
grown mainly in the temperate zones of the northern hemisphere.
Generally, the costs of producing sugar from sugar cane are lower
than those in respect of processing sugar beets. Currently, 69% of
the world's sugar is consumed in the countries of origin, whilst the
balance is traded on world markets. Because of the residual nature
of the world market, the free market price is one of the most
volatile of all commodity prices.
|
2007/08 est. |
PRODUCTION
MILLION TONS |
EXPORTS
MILLION TONS |
POPULATION
MILLIONS |
PER
CAPITA CONSUMPTION KGS |
| BRAZIL |
31.355 |
20.957 [1] |
190 |
58 |
| INDIA |
28.804 |
3.298 [4] |
1 117 |
20 |
| EU |
17.567 |
1.400 [8] |
490 |
34 |
| CHINA |
14.674 |
- |
1 314 |
11 |
| THAILAND |
8.033 |
5.288 [2] |
65 |
36 |
| UNITED STATES |
7.701 |
- |
301 |
29 |
| MEXICO |
5.978 |
0.350 [15] |
107 |
52 |
| SADC |
5.834 |
2.410 [5] |
157 |
22 |
| AUSTRALIA |
5.013 |
3.750 [3] |
20 |
47 |
| PAKISTAN |
4.891 |
- |
165 |
25 |
| [#] = World export ranking |
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Global sugar consumption growth increases by about 2% per annum and
in 2007/08 is expected to reach almost 160 million tons. |
The top ten sugar producers account for 77% of global production
which in 2007/08 is estimated at 169 million tons. |
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In 2007/08, about 69% of world sugar production is
expected to be consumed in the countries of origin, with the balance
traded on world markets. Record production in a number of major
sugar producing countries has increased overall global export
availability. |
In recent years, consumption growth has steadily increased in a
number of Southern African countries, with the longer-term potential
for future gains remaining favourable. |
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Against the background of a record global sugar surplus of nine
million tons in 2006/07, world raw sugar prices in 2007 traded in a
relatively narrow but volatile range, between US9.00 cents/lb and
US11.00 cents/lb. However, as the result of significant trading
activity by global investment funds in the sugar market in December
2007, futures prices lifted significantly reaching a high of US15.02
cents/lb in March.
Preferential prices in the EU and US remain at a significant premium
to the world sugar price. The ongoing strength of the Euro continues
to benefit these prices in US dollar terms. A uniform EU price is
now paid for both ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) and EBA
(Everything But Arms) sugar protocol exports. |
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Domestic sugar prices in the South African Customs Union remain
substantially below those of some developed nations. |
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The most recent independent survey of international sugar production costs
covering in excess of 100 sugar producing countries indicated that, of
the six countries in which Illovo operates, three are in the top fifteen
lowest-cost cane sugar producers in the world, and all six are within
the top 25. |
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