Sugar is used in various industries worldwide, from confectionery and beverage manufacturing to pharmaceuticals and others.
USDA estimated global sugar production in the 2025/2026 Marketing Year (MY) to be 186.06 million metric tons. The article tells about sugar production by country, showing each nation’s contribution to global production, along with performance comparisons with last year and the past 10 years.
Here’s the list of leading sugar producers by country:
Sugar production by country in the marketing year 2025/2026, by USDA
| Country | Total Production in Metric Tons | Share in Global Production (%) |
|---|---|---|
 Brazil | 43.8 Million | 24% |
 India | 30 Million | 16% |
 European Union | 15.52 Million | 8% |
 China | 12.6 Million | 7% |
 Thailand | 11.26 Million | 6% |
 United States | 8.38 Million | 5% |
 Pakistan | 7.06 Million | 4% |
 Russia | 7 Million | 4% |
 Mexico | 5.49 Million | 3% |
 Australia | 3.83 Million | 2% |
1. Brazil
Brazil is the world’s largest sugar-producing country, with its total production reaching 43.8 million metric tons during April 2025-March 2026 MY. This amount makes up 24% of total sugar production worldwide.
- Production in MY 2024/25: 43.7 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 0.23%
- 10-year production (MY 2016/25):
- Average production: 38.64 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 1%
2. India
India is a leading sugar-producing country in MY 2025/2026 (October 2025-September 2026). The country produced 30 million metric tons of sugar, representing 16% of global production.
- Production in MY 2024/25: 28 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 7%
- 10-year production (MY 2016/25):
- Average production: 31.48 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 3%
3. European Union
The 27 countries that make up the European Union (EU) contributed significantly to global sugar production. The EU produced 15.52 million metric tons of sugar, or 8% of global output, in MY 2025/26.
- Production in MY 2024/25: 16.28 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: -5%
- 10-year production (MY 2016/25):
- Average production: 16.19 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 0.01%
4. China
China generated 7% of global sugar production for MY 2025/26 (October 2025-September 2026). The Asian country’s sugar output was 12.6 million metric tons for the same marketing year.
- Production in MY 2024/25: 11.16 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 13%
- 10-year production (MY 2016/25):
- Average production: 10.36 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 3%
5. Thailand
Next on the list of sugar production by country is Thailand. For MY 2025/26 (December 2025-November 2026), its total sugar production was 11.26 million metric tons, accounting for 6% of the world’s sugar output for that year.
- Production in MY 2024/25: 10.24 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 10%
- 10-year production (MY 2016/25):
- Average production: 10.67 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 1%
6. United States
The United States is another major country in terms of global sugar output. It shares a generous 5% of world production. The nation maintains a firm hold with 8.38 million metric tons during the October 2025-September 2026 marketing year.
- Production in MY 2024/25: 8.53 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: -2%
- 10-year production (MY 2016/25):
- Average production: 8.26 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 0.30%
7. Pakistan
Pakistan’s contribution to the world’s sugar production by country was 4% in MY 2025/26 (October 2025-September 2026); the nation’s total sugar production was 7.06 million metric tons.
- Production in MY 2024/25: 5.86 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 20%
- 10-year production (MY 2016/25):
- Average production: 6.51 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 0.34%
8. Russia
One of the most prominent sugar producers in the world, Russia’s total output was 7 million metric tons in MY 2026/2026 (October 2025-September 2026). This production accounted for 4% of the world’s sugar production.
- Production in MY 2024/25: 6.75 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 4%
- 10-year production (MY 2016/25):
- Average production: 6.47 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 1%
9. Mexico
Mexico, as a major sugar-producing country, produced 5.49 million metric tons of sugar in MY 2025/26 (October 2025-September 2026). The South American nation contributed 3% to global production.
- Production in MY 2024/25: 5.06 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 9%
- 10-year production (MY 2016/25):
- Average production: 5.88 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -1%
10. Australia
The USDA names Australia among the leading sugar-producing countries. With production of 3.83 million metric tons of sugar, it contributed 2% to the world’s total production in the marketing year July 2025-June 2026.
- Production in MY 2024/25: 3.81 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 0.52%
- 10-year production (MY 2016/25):
- Average production: 4.3 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -3%
