Index remains down; El Niño may limit further declines

Cepea, June 16, 2026 – White crystal sugar prices continue to decline in São Paulo amid low market liquidity, as buyers remain reluctant to close deals, expecting further price decreases due to the ample supply available at the beginning of the 2026/27 season.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has confirmed the occurrence of El Niño, which tends to increase risks to sugar production in key producing regions, such as India, Thailand and parts of Brazil. In Brazil’s Center-South region, rainfall volumes are expected to increase, which may hinder sugarcane harvesting and processing activities and limit short-term supply.

Demerara sugar prices continued to decline at ICE Futures amid expectations of higher short-term supply.

According to data from Unica, 60.458 million tons of sugarcane had been harvested in Brazil's Center-South region by late April, 74.58% more than in the same period last year. Sugar production totaled 2.475 million tons in April, up 55.3% year on year.

Source: Cepea (www.cepea.esalq.usp.br)