International Sugar Statistics

The international sugar season runs from October to September

Sustainability

The global sugar industry is one of the world’s oldest agriculturally-based industries, which is estimated to produce around 167 million tons of sugar in the 2010/11 international sugar season. Whilst many forces continually impact upon annual global production, a major sustainability feature of this industry is its historic and ongoing sugar consumption growth, which on average, increases by around 1.8% per annum. Africa, with its favourable agronomic conditions, has significant potential to contribute towards the production needed to meet this growing demand. Illovo, as a world-class, low-cost, highly efficient sugar producer, operating in Africa, is well-placed to participate in this ongoing growth opportunity. The following tables, graphs and data are intended to promote a broader understanding of the dynamic international circumstances in which the Illovo group operates.

Overview

More than 100 countries produce sugar, about 81% 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, 72% of the world’s sugar is consumed in the countries of origin, whilst the balance is traded on world markets. (Source: Czarnikow Sugar 2010/11, Oct/Sep basis.)

# - Denotes ranking in terms of world exports

Back to Top