Sugar Prices Slump to 4-Year Lows on Abundant Global Supplies

Core Insights - Sugar prices are experiencing a significant decline, with NY sugar reaching a 4.25-year low and London sugar hitting a 4-year low due to increased production in Brazil [2] - Brazil's sugar output in the second half of August rose by 18% year-on-year to 3.872 million tons, with a higher percentage of sugarcane being crushed for sugar [2] - The International Sugar Organization forecasts a global sugar deficit for the 2025/26 season, marking the sixth consecutive year of deficits, although the deficit is expected to improve compared to the previous year [6] Group 1: Price Trends - October NY world sugar 11 is down 0.28 (-1.80%), while December London ICE white sugar 5 is down 5.60 (-1.22%) [1] - Sugar prices have been on a downtrend for the past six months, primarily due to the outlook for higher sugar production in Brazil [4] Group 2: Production Insights - Brazil's Center-South sugar output for the 2025-26 season through August fell by 1.9% year-on-year to 26.758 million tons [2] - The percentage of sugarcane crushed for sugar by Brazil's sugar mills increased to 54.20% from 48.78% year-on-year [2] - Brazil's sugar mills are prioritizing sugar production over ethanol, leading to increased sugar output as harvesting peaks [4] Group 3: Global Market Dynamics - India may divert 4 million tons of sugar to ethanol production in 2025/26, which could lead to increased exports of sugar from Indian mills [3] - The International Sugar Organization projects global sugar production to rise by 3.3% year-on-year to 180.6 million tons for the 2025/26 season [6] - Global sugar consumption is expected to increase by 0.3% year-on-year to 180.8 million tons for the 2025/26 season [6] Group 4: Market Positioning - An excessive short position by funds in NY sugar could lead to potential gains in any short-covering rally, with net-short positions increasing by 32,849 to 182,608 [5]