Core Insights - The article discusses the historical fluctuations in sugar prices since 2000, highlighting five cycles of price increases and decreases, with an average duration of five years for each cycle. The overall trend shows a strong correlation between domestic and international sugar prices, with variations in volatility and market transitions [1]. Group 1: Sugar Price Trends - Sugar prices have shown a strong positive correlation with global demand, driven by population growth and increased applications of sugar, with an average annual consumption growth rate of 2.07% from 2000 to 2011, which decreased to 0.55% post-2012 [1]. - The global sugar supply-demand gap is a significant variable affecting sugar prices, with a negative correlation of -0.16 between raw sugar prices and the global supply-demand gap, becoming more pronounced after 2011 [1]. - The correlation coefficient between domestic sugar prices in Guangxi and international raw sugar prices is approximately -0.35 [1]. Group 2: Weather and Economic Factors - Weather factors, particularly the impact of La Niña and El Niño phenomena, play a crucial role in sugar production and price fluctuations. La Niña is expected to persist until early 2026, potentially causing drought in Brazil, which could affect sugarcane production in the 2026 season [2]. - The article notes that significant economic crises, such as the 2008 global financial crisis and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, have shown consistent impacts on sugar prices, with sugar being a staple commodity less affected by localized macroeconomic crises [2]. - The last strong El Niño occurred in 2023, which led to reduced sugar production and influenced the previous price surge. The next significant price increase is anticipated around 2027, aligning with macroeconomic cycles [3].