March NY world sugar #11 (SBH26) today is up +0.22 (+1.48%), and March London ICE white sugar #5 (SWH26) is up +4.30 (+1.01%). Sugar prices are moving sharply higher today, with NY sugar posting a 2-week high and London sugar posting a 1-week high.  Today's rally in the Brazilian real (^USDBRL) to a 1-week high against the dollar has sparked some short covering in sugar futures.  The stronger real discourages export sales by Brazil's sugar producers. More News from Barchart Sugar prices have retreated ...

Core Insights - Sugar prices have declined from recent highs due to a drop in crude oil prices, leading to increased sugar production as mills shift focus from ethanol to sugar [2][4][6] - The International Sugar Organization (ISO) has revised its forecast to indicate a sugar surplus in 2025-26, driven by increased production in key countries [4][6] - India's food ministry's decision to limit sugar exports for the 2025/26 season provides some support to sugar prices despite the overall bearish outlook [5] Group 1: Price Movements - March NY world sugar 11 closed down -0.04 (-0.27%) and March London ICE white sugar 5 closed down -0.30 (-0.07%) [1] - Sugar prices fell back from 3.5-week highs after crude oil prices tumbled more than -2%, prompting long liquidation in sugar futures [2] Group 2: Supply Dynamics - The ISO forecasts a sugar surplus of 1.625 million MT for 2025-26, following a deficit of 2.916 million MT in 2024-25, driven by increased production in India, Thailand, and Pakistan [4] - Global sugar production is expected to rise by +3.2% year-on-year to 181.8 million MT in 2025-26 [4] Group 3: Export Regulations - India's food ministry will allow mills to export 1.5 MMT of sugar in the 2025/26 season, down from earlier estimates of 2 MMT, following a quota system introduced in 2022/23 [5]

Core Insights - Sugar prices have been declining, with NY sugar reaching a 5-year low and London sugar hitting a 4.75-year low, reflecting a three-week downward trend [1] Group 1: Sugar Production and Prices - Brazil's sugar output in the first half of October increased by 1.3% year-on-year to 2.484 million tons, contributing to downward pressure on prices [2] - The percentage of sugarcane crushed for sugar in Brazil rose to 48.24% from 47.33% year-on-year [2] - Projections indicate that Brazil's Center-South sugar production for 2026/27 will rise by 3.9% year-on-year to a record 44 million tons [3] Group 2: Global Sugar Surplus - Datagro and BMI Group have projected a global sugar surplus for 2025/26, with estimates of 10.5 million tons and 4.1 million tons respectively [3] - The outlook for sugar prices is further pressured by expectations of increased sugar exports from India due to favorable monsoon conditions [4] Group 3: India's Sugar Production - India's sugar production is expected to increase by 19% year-on-year to 34.9 million tons for 2025/26, following a significant decline in 2024/25 [4] - India's cumulative monsoon rainfall was reported at 937.2 mm, 8% above normal, indicating a strong monsoon season [4] Group 4: Sugar Diversion and Exports - India may divert only 4 million tons of sugar for ethanol production in 2025/26, which is insufficient to alleviate the sugar surplus, potentially leading to increased exports [5] - Indian sugar mills may export up to 4 million tons of sugar, exceeding earlier expectations of 2 million tons [5]

Core Insights - Sugar prices are declining due to concerns over increased sugar exports from India, with expectations of exports rising to 4 million metric tons (MMT) for the 2025/26 season, surpassing earlier estimates of 2 MMT [1][6] - The Brazilian real's strength is limiting sugar price losses, as it reached a 15-month high against the dollar, discouraging export sales from Brazil's sugar producers [2] - An excessive short position in New York sugar futures could lead to potential gains in a short-covering rally, with funds increasing their net-short positions by 32,849 contracts to 182,608, the highest in nearly six years [3] Sugar Production and Export Trends - New York sugar prices recently hit a 4.25-year low, while London sugar fell to a 3.5-week low, driven by expectations of higher sugar production in Brazil, which reported a 16% year-on-year increase in sugar output for the first half of August [4] - Brazil's sugar mills are prioritizing sugar production over ethanol, with a higher percentage of sugarcane being crushed for sugar, expected to continue as harvesting peaks [5] - Cumulative sugar output in Brazil's Center-South region for the 2025-26 season is down 4.7% year-on-year to 22.886 MMT as of mid-August [4]