USDA arm sees Brazil ’18-19 sugar export at 11-yr low of 19.6 mln tn.

Sugar exports from Brazil are likely to fall to an 11-year low of 19.6 mln tn during 2018-19 (Apr-Mar) due to depressed global prices. Raw sugar exports should contribute 15.68 mln tn of total exports. Refined exports should account for 3.92 mln tn. the world’s largest exporter, Brazil, had exported 28.2 mln tn of the sweetener in 2017-18. Sugarcane output in Brazil during 2018-19 is estimated at 610 mln tn, lower than 639 mln tn produced a year ago, on the back of dry weather conditions in the country The key centre-south region of the country, is expected to crush 563 mln tn of cane, down 5% on year. Approximately 37.5% of the crop is expected to be diverted to sugar, as a consequence of the steady drop in world sugar prices, combined with increased demand for ethanol in the domestic market.