USDA Economic Research Service Briefing Room
" "  
Link: Bypass USDA Left navigation.
Search ERS

Browse by Subject
Diet, Health & Safety
Farm Economy
Farm Practices & Management
Food & Nutrition Assistance
Food Sector
Natural Resources & Environment
Policy Topics
Research & Productivity
Rural Economy
Trade and International Markets
Also Browse By


or

""

 


 
Briefing Rooms

Sugar and Sweeteners

Contents
 

Overview

The U.S. sweetener market is the largest and most diverse in the world. The United States is the largest consumer of sweeteners, including high fructose corn syrup, and is one of the largest global sugar importers. The United States ranks among the top sugar producers, and is one of the few countries with significant production of both sugarbeets and sugarcane.

ERS analysts track U.S. and international sugar and sweetener production, consumption, and trade. They also monitor and analyze U.S. sweetener policy and events that affect the domestic, Mexican, and other international sweetener markets.

Features

Processor Production Forecast AccuracyPDF file (January 2008) analyzes forecasts from processors for U.S. sugar beet and sugarcane production before and after implementation of the 2002 Farm Act. Accurate forecasts are needed to administer marketing allotments, which are part of the price support program for sugar. Have processors become more accurate in their forecasts? Has there been a tendency to overestimate or underestimate production since 2002?

Sugar Backgrounder (July 2007) addresses key domestic and international market and policy developments that have affected the U.S. sugar sector in recent years. It provides descriptions and analyses of farm-level production of U.S. sugar crops, cane and beet sugar processing and refining industries, sugar imports and exports, and sugar consumption.

Recommended Readings

Sugar and Sweeteners Outlook (January, May, and September) provide an update of current market and policy developments and their impacts on the sugar and corn sweetener industries.

Ethanol Demand Driving the Expansion of Brazil's Sugar IndustryPDF file (June 2007) assesses the recent expansion of Brazil's sugar and ethanol industries due to rising crude oil prices, expanding global development of renewable energy, and growing domestic demand for ethanol. As ethanol in Brazil is made from sugarcane, sugar industry developments are now increasingly linked to policy initiatives in ethanol markets.

European Union-25 Sugar PolicyPDF file (January 2006) assesses recent changes in European Union (EU) sugar policy, which will be implemented in July 2006 and include a price reduction of 36 percent to be phased in by the 2009/10 marketing year. Analysis shows a reduction in EU sugar production and a virtual elimination of EU sugar exports, with a resulting increase in the world price of sugar.

See all recommended readings...

Recommended Data Products

Sugar and Sweeteners Yearbook tables contain the latest data and historical information on the production, use, prices, imports, and exports of sugar and sweeteners.

Tropical Products: World Markets and Trade, published biannually by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, contains data on global sugar production, consumption, and prices.

Historical Sweetener Marketing Data from USDA's Farm Service Agency contains statistics on U.S. sugar production, deliveries, trade, and stocks.

U.S. Sugar Statistical Compendium provides historical data (1970-90) on U.S. sugar production and consumption, imports and exports, and prices. Regional and state data are included. Tables are in Lotus 123 (*.wk1) spreadsheet files.

U.S. Corn Sweetener Statistical Compendium provides historical data (1970-92) on U.S. corn sweetener supply and use (high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, and glucose), imports and exports, and prices. Tables are in Lotus 123 (*.wk1) spreadsheet files.

Related Briefing Rooms

USDA Agricultural Baseline Projections
U.S. Agricultural Trade
Farm and Commodity Policy
Farm Income and Costs
Food Consumption
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
World Trade Organization (WTO)

Related Links

Links to other sites with economic information about sugar and sweeteners.

Also at ERS...

Latest Publications

World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates
Global Agricultural Supply and Demand: Factors Contributing to the Recent Increase in Food Commodity Prices
Feed Yearbook summary
U.S. Agricultural Trade Boosts Overall Economy
Vegetables and Melons Outlook

Latest Data Sets

Season-Average Price Forecasts
Agricultural Outlook Statistical Indicators
Monthly Milk Cost of Production
Wheat Data
Feed Grains Database

Resources

Contact an ERS Expert
Calendar of Releases

Services

Receive E-mail Updates
E-mail This Page
Translate This Page

 

For more information, contact: Stephen Haley

Web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.gov

Updated date: March 3, 2008