Brazil and India are the largest sugar producing countries followed by China, USA, Thailand, Australia, Mexico, Pakistan, France and Germany. Global sugar production increased from approximately 125.88 MMT in 1995-1996 to 149.4 MMT in 2002-2003 and then declined to 143.7 MMT in 2003-2004, whereas consumption increased steadily from 118.1 MMT in 1995-1996 to 142.8 MMT in 2003-2004.

The world consumption is projected to grow to 160.7 MMT in 2010, and 176.1 MMT by 2015. According to ISO, the world sugar output is forecasted to reach 145.0 MMT and consumption to reach 147.0 MMT in 2004-2005, resulting in a deficit of around 2 MMT in 2004-2005. Further, since October 2003, nearly 5 MMT of surplus sugar are expected to have been removed from the world sugar balance, reducing the stock/ consumption ratio to less than 42%.