Sugar
Highlights
LDC is a global leader in raw and refined sugar origination and merchandizing.
Top 3
Bonsucro-certified
A Leading Exporter in Brazil
About Sugar
Sugar is a caloric concentrated commodity produced from sugarcane or sugar beets. Sugarcane grows best in tropical areas, as it demands large quantities of sunshine and water, whereas sugar beet is produced in temperate zones.
South America and Asia dominate sugar exports. Brazil is by far the largest potential producer and exporter, but might choose to maximize ethanol production in a low sugar price environment, making global supply highly flexible.
The largest importers are China, Indonesia, the Middle East, the Black Sea region and Africa. As both large producers and consumers, India and the EU swing from net exporters to net importers, depending on local production conditions, and have a significant influence on the world market.
Our Sugar Value Chain
Each of our business lines is integrating further across the five steps of our value chain, as we respond to the need for a traceable and responsible supply line from farmer to consumer.
01Originate & Produce
01Originate & Produce
02Process & Refine
02Process & Refine
03Store & Transport
03Store & Transport
04Research & Merchandize
04Research & Merchandize
05Customize & Distribute
05Customize & Distribute
01Originate & Produce
01Originate & Produce
02Process & Refine
02Process & Refine
03Store & Transport
03Store & Transport
04Research & Merchandize
04Research & Merchandize
05Customize & Distribute
05Customize & Distribute
Our Strengths
We originate sugar mainly from Brazil, Thailand and Central America, and distribute principally to Central Asia, China and West Africa. In 2023, LDC invested in Terminal de Exportação de Açúcar do Guarujá, an export terminal in Brazil, enhancing our ability to efficiently export sugar from this key market to the world.
Our ethanol micro-distillery constructed in 2021 in Brazil allowed the start of physical ethanol trading, as global demand for the product continues to grow.
LDC is known as one of the most reliable sources of sugar market intelligence, thanks to our extensive research on trade flows and perceptive futures analysis. We continue to invest in research and data analytics to improve crop predictability in key producing countries: for instance, employing satellite imagery to estimate acreage, yield levels and harvest pace in all major crops around the world.
Our insights have helped us to strengthen relationships with customers in key sugar consumption markets and increase our volumes significantly.
Committed to Sustainable Sugar
We support Bonsucro’s efforts to increase the adoption of its standards and practices for the responsible production of sugar.
All relevant LDC facilities and trading entities are Bonsucro-certified and, since we do not grow sugar ourselves, we take steps to promote the organization to our suppliers and to merchandize Bonsucro-certified sugar wherever possible.
In 2019, we were able to supply customers in the EU, US and Canada with Bonsucro-certified sugar.
Meet Our People
“The challenge is big and sets the bar really high”
Ariel – Regional Platform Head, Argentina
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“You work every day with colleagues all over the world”
Axel – Head of Finance, Australia
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