Sugar surged on El Niño drought and global deficits
El Niño drought cuts output El Niño-driven drought slashed sugarcane output in Brazil, India, and Thailand, tightening global supplies and pushing sugar futures sharply higher.
This is the primary new force driving prices up this quarter.
Brazil diverts cane to ethanol Brazilian mills diverted more cane to ethanol production, with June sugar output down 26.3%, reducing global sugar availability and supporting prices.
A key new supply-side factor that tightened the market.
India cuts import duty to zero India eliminated its sugar import tax and may import 2–3 million tonnes, signalling tight domestic supplies and adding to global demand.
A new policy move that increased import demand and bullish sentiment.
Speculative funds flip bullish Speculative funds turned bullish, buying about 350,000 sugar contracts, which amplified the price rally through increased financial demand.
A new capital flow that reinforced upward price momentum.