Changes in the world sugar market.

摘要

World sugar consumption reached 114 million t in 2003, with 5 countries representing 50% of this consumption: India (14%), the EU (12.6%), China (8%), Brazil (7%) and the USA (6.1%). World production has grown regularly since the 1960s; and at the end of the 1980s, it reached 133 million t, with the 3 largest producers representing 40% of world production: the EU (14.3%), India (13.5%) and the USA (10.6%). Over the last 10 years, Brazil and China have become important in sugar world production; and in 2002, 5 countries represented 60% of the 177.9 million t production, being by order of importance, India, Brazil, the EU, the USA and China. Other producing countries include Australia, Cuba, Mexico, Pakistan and Thailand. In the EU, the main producers are France, Germany and Poland, with 52% of the 19.7 t produced. The world trade in sugar remains limited with under 30% of the world production being exported in 2002. The trade is also concentrated among a few countries, with 71% of exports supplied by 6 countries in 2002: Brazil, the EU, Thailand, Cuba, India and Australia. Since 2002, Brazil is the largest world exporter, with 14 million t in 2002; followed by the EU, with a major role of French exports. Imports are led by the Russian federation. Countries such as Brazil, Thailand and Australia are now challenging the EU sugar system at the WTO, this should lead to a decrease in sugar prices in the EU and a reduction in quota volumes..