Sugar

Sugar is a pure carbohydrate that supplies energy to the body. All plants produce, but only sugarcane and sugar beets store enough sugar using photosynthesis for commercial production. The future of the sugar market is dependent on world governments' curtailing subsidies and other sugar support programs. Demand growth for sugar will come from alternative markets such as ethanol because refined sugar is facing increasing competition from non-sugar substitutes. The price for sugar on the world dump market should continue to be influenced by changes in government subsidies for sugar. Overall, the price should remain steady, but production shortfalls due to weather events could lead to price spikes. This chapter also discusses the production, consumption, price history and market reports of sugar.