Brazilian Sugar Exports in Data: Insights for a Volatile Global Market

When trade data is placed under the microscope, one fact becomes immediately clear: Brazilian sugar exports are not just large — they are structurally decisive for global supply. Brazil sits at the center of the world’s sugar production map, consistently ranking among the largest producers and exporters, with the Center-South region accounting for the bulk of output and export availability.

In this context, reliable and consolidated trade data is not optional. It is the foundation for understanding how Brazil fits into the global sugar market, how flows are changing and where competitive advantages are being built or eroded. Datamar’s DataLiner offers that lens.

According to DataLiner, throughout 2025 (year-to-date), Brazil shipped sugar predominantly in bulk, which accounted for 79.59% of total export volumes, while containerized sugar represented 20.41%. This pattern is not unique to Brazil. Globally, sugar is primarily traded in bulk, reflecting the commodity’s role as an industrial input and the cost efficiency of large-scale maritime transport.

Brazil’s competitive strength lies in large-scale agricultural production and primary processing. Exporting raw sugar allows producers to maximize scale and cost efficiency at origin, while keeping the product flexible for different end uses. Once shipped, raw sugar can be refined according to local specifications, quality standards and consumer preferences in importing markets.

Seen through this lens, the data does more than describe logistics choices. It explains how Brazil positions itself in global markets, how exporters balance scale and efficiency and how ports, terminals and shipping modes underpin competitiveness in an increasingly volatile environment.

Who moves the market: leading exporters in 2025

Brazil’s export performance is underpinned by a relatively concentrated group of large trading houses and mills. In raw (unrefined) sugar, Copersucar remained the country’s leading exporter in 2025, followed by Raízen Centro-Sul, which significantly expanded its presence, and Sucden do Brasil, which continued to play a relevant role despite a year-on-year decline.

In containerized sugar, volumes are smaller but strategically important, particularly for refined and higher value-added products. Usina Bazan led shipments in this segment, followed by Usina Bela Vista and Nardini Agroindustrial. Together, these exporters shape Brazil’s footprint across both bulk and containerized sugar trade.

Is Brazil the world’s leading exporter of sugar?

Brazil is widely recognized as one of the world’s largest sugar exporters and a structural pillar of global supply. While leadership can vary year to year depending on harvest outcomes and export policies in other producing countries, Brazil consistently ranks at the top of global export rankings.

Data collected by Datamar shows that, from January to November 2025, Brazil shipped 26,520,490 metric tonnes of sugar, ranking first among global exporters, despite a year-on-year decline of 14.8%.

The chart below provides a historical overview of bulk sugar exports over the last four years, based on DataLiner data:

Brazilian bulk sugar exports | Jan 2022 – Nov 2025 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Sugar production in Brazil is heavily clustered in the Center-South region, with São Paulo standing out as the country’s leading producing state. This geographic concentration directly influences export corridors, port utilization and shipment patterns.

As reflected in historical trade data, exports are closely linked to the sugarcane production cycle. The Brazilian harvest typically runs from April to November, a period when export volumes peak and logistics chains operate at full capacity. These seasonal dynamics are clearly reflected in trade data and are critical for planning freight, storage and port operations.

Global market trends: supply, prices and policy

Since 2023, developments in the global sugar market have reinforced Brazil’s strategic importance while reshaping price dynamics. Public projections from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) point to a scenario of elevated global supply in the 2025/26 season.

According to the USDA, global sugar production in 2025/26 is projected at approximately 189.3 million tons, reflecting year-on-year growth driven mainly by higher output in major producing countries such as Brazil and India. The USDA also estimates that global sugar production could increase by around 4.6% compared with the previous season, contributing to comfortable supply levels and relatively high global stocks.

This outlook of abundant supply translated into downward pressure on international sugar prices throughout 2025 and into early 2026. Even as prices softened, export volumes remained high, underscoring the importance of efficiency, logistics optimization and market diversification for exporters operating in a tighter margin environment.

Policy developments also entered the equation. In January 2026, the European Union proposed a temporary suspension of its duty-free sugar import scheme under the Inward Processing Relief mechanism, aiming to support domestic producers amid low prices. The proposal sparked debate among refiners and traders, as changes to this regime could affect flows of raw sugar — including shipments originating from Brazil — into the European market.

The chart below shows monthly sugar exports to the EU from January to November, beginning in 2022, according to DataLiner data:

Sugar Exports to the EU | January – November | 2022 -2025 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

With global stocks rebuilt after record shipments in previous seasons and production rising in major producing countries, buyers adjusted purchasing strategies and slowed imports. Lower prices reduced export incentives at the margin, while changes in demand across key destinations also affected shipment pace. In this context, the slowdown signals a cyclical adjustment to a market marked by surplus supply, price pressure and shifting trade flows.

At the mill level, the choice between producing sugar or ethanol remains a key driver of export availability. Mills closely monitor international sugar prices, oil market dynamics, ethanol competitiveness, seasonal cane supply and logistical costs, adjusting their output mix accordingly. These decisions directly influence export volumes and shipment timing.

How Brazilian sugar is shipped

From a logistics standpoint, Brazilian sugar exports are split between bulk, containerized and bagged cargo. Bulk shipments dominate, reflecting the commodity’s scale-driven trade profile. Raw sugar is particularly well suited for bulk shipping, which significantly lowers freight costs per ton compared with containerized refined sugar.

Recent data confirms a slowdown across both segments in 2025. DataLiner shows that containerized sugar exports fell 15.5% between January and November 2025 compared with the same period of 2024. Bulk exports also declined, down 14.8% year-on-year.

Containerized Sugar Exports | Jan 2022 – Nov 2025 | TEUs

 Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Brazilian sugar exports range from raw VHP and VVHP sugar, widely used as industrial inputs, to refined ICUMSA 45 sugar and specialty products such as organic and demerara sugar. This diversified portfolio allows Brazilian exporters to serve both large-scale refining markets and higher value-added niches.

Brazil’s leadership in sugar production also intersects with sustainability trends. In the Center-South, particularly in São Paulo state, mechanized harvesting and regulatory frameworks have led to a substantial reduction — and in many mechanizable areas the elimination — of pre-harvest field burning. These advances support productivity gains while aligning Brazilian sugar with environmental standards increasingly demanded by global buyers.

Ports: where Brazilian sugar leaves the country

Ports are a central pillar of Brazil’s sugar export chain. With production concentrated in the Center-South, the Port of Santos stands out as the country’s main export gateway for both bulk and containerized sugar.

Between January and November 2025, over 95% of containerized sugar exports moved through Santos, followed by Paranaguá and Salvador.

Brazilian sugar exports by port – containerized | Jan-Nov 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

In bulk shipments, Santos accounted for 69% of Brazilian sugar export volumes, reinforcing its role as the country’s main gateway for the commodity. Paranaguá followed with a 19% share, while Maceió accounted for 4.2% of total volumes.

In Santos, bulk sugar moved mainly through Copersucar Terminal, TIPLAM and Rumo, which together form the backbone of sugar export logistics in the port. In Paranaguá, flows were concentrated at Teapar, alongside operations by Bunge and PASA. In Maceió, shipments moved primarily through Terminal Açucareiro and the Terminal de Granéis Líquidos (TGL).

Brazilian sugar exports by port – bulk | Jan-Nov 2025 | WTMT 

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Where does Brazil export sugar to?

Destination patterns vary by shipment type. In 2025, year-to-date, containerized sugar exports were primarily destined for Africa, followed by the Middle East. Bulk sugar shipments were mainly directed to the Middle East, with Asia ranking second.

Destination countries for Brazilian containerized sugar exports | 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Destination countries for Brazilian bulk sugar exports | 2025 | WTMT

 Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Country-level trade data helps exporters identify demand trends, assess market concentration and align commercial and logistics strategies.

Data as a competitive advantage

In a global environment marked by abundant supply, price volatility and evolving trade policies, Brazil’s role in the international sugar trade remains structurally decisive. For stakeholders looking beyond headlines, consolidated and well-structured trade data is what turns exports into actionable insight. Learn more about South America’s most trusted trade data source here.