Total world raw sugar production is
forecast to reach 133.9 million metric tons in 1999/2000,
an increase of 3 percent over 1998/99. Production is
forecast to increase for the sixth straight year, the
longest recorded period of consistent growth since the
late 1960's. Global sugar production has increased by 22
percent over this six year period. The most significant
change over this period has been the growth of Brazil,
both as a producer and an exporter. Brazil has accounted
for 28 percent of the increase in world production and 75
percent of the increase in exports from 1993/94 to
1999/2000. Brazil has pushed its share of total world
trade from 14 percent to 26 percent. The increasing
market share of Brazil has largely come at the expense of
the next four largest exporters: the European Union,
Australia, Thailand, and Cuba, whose total market share
has decreased by about 10 percent. Brazil’s
preeminence in the world raw sugar market seems to be
assured for the near future given its relatively low
production costs and its alcohol sector acting as an
important alternative outlet for cane.
