Brazil’s a powerhouse in sugar exports and depending upon weather, ethanol demand (50% is turned into ethanol), and global markets exports around 28 million metric tons of sugar per year. Most unrefined sugar headed to places like China, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia. In 2024, Brazil exported a record 31.7 million metric tons of sugar globally through late October. The U.S. imported about 300,000 to 400,000 metric tons of that—roughly 1% to 1.3% of Brazil’s total. Interestingly, Brazil’s has 27 million cars running on ethanol, so they keep most of that for home use.
Watch as a massive container ship takes on a sweet cargo—crane-loaded sugar from Brazil’s lush fields. This vital export powers global trade, showcasing the seamless dance of machinery and manpower. From South American soil to worldwide markets, see the journey begin in this mesmerizing process.
A ship load of sugar. pic.twitter.com/nCjEosTNsa
— Brian Roemmele (@BrianRoemmele) February 20, 2025