OECD Records Global Sugarcane Production Reaching 1.77 Billion Metric Tons in 2021

Sugarcane is a highly strategic commercial crop globally and a major source of sugar, ethanol, and jaggery (a semi-refined sugar product used in India). It is a type of grass that thrives in tropical climates.

According to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), global average sugarcane production amounted to 1.77 billion metric tons in 2021. This represents a 1.06% increase compared to 2018-2020, which totaled 1.75 billion metric tons. By 2030, global sugarcane production is projected to reach 1.96 billion metric tons.

In terms of cultivated area, the global sugarcane plantation area was 24.4 million hectares in 2021. This figure remained unchanged from the previous year. The sugarcane plantation area is projected to reach 26 million hectares by 2030.

Meanwhile, the amount of sugarcane used for ethanol (biofuel) was 364.7 million metric tons in 2021. This figure is down 8.2% from the previous year's 397.4 million metric tons. The use of sugarcane for biofuel is projected to reach 431.5 million metric tons by 2030.

Brazil is the world's largest sugarcane producer, with production reaching 42.05 million metric tons in 2020/2021. India ranks second with a production of 33.76 million metric tons.

(Read More: [Ministry of Agriculture Estimates Indonesian Sugarcane Production at 2.36 Million Tons in 2021])