Sugar Technicals: Watch For Surplus

 | Feb 14, 2017 06:39AM ET

Global sugar surplus expected this season

Participants of Dubai Sugar Conference expect sugar surplus in season 2017/2018, which started last October. Tropical Research Services Agency estimates it to be in the range of 1-3mln tonnes. Will sugar prices edge lower?

The global sugar deficit of 8.3mln tonnes was recorded in season 2016/2017 and of 6.6mln tonnes in season 2015/16, according to Tropical Research Services. Mainly due to this sugar prices rose in global markets more than twofold since October 2015 to October 2016. The downward correction is probable given the global surplus. Forecasts say that global sugar production will reach 187.14mln tonnes in 2017/18 compared to 174.9mln tonnes in previous season. Global consumption is expected to reach 185.78mln tonnes, up from 183.2mln tonnes in previous season. The main risk for global sugar prices to get lower is the possible decline in its production in India.