China sugar production 2026 statistics show that refined sugar output demonstrated robust growth in the first five months, driven by a highly concentrated domestic cane-crushing peak and a significant increase in imported raw sugar processing.
According to the latest official data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), China’s refined sugar output for May 2026 reached 562,000 metric tons, registering a sharp year-on-year (YoY) increase of 42.3%. This lifted the cumulative production for the January–May 2026 period to 11.312 million metric tons, up 28.6% compared to the same period last year.
The NBS statistical scope tracks industrial enterprises with annual core business revenues exceeding RMB 20 million (approx. USD 2.75 million). This data encapsulates both domestically grown sugar crops and imported raw sugar refined within China.
Concentrated Crushing Season Boosts China Sugar Production 2026 The 2025/26 sugar crushing season, which commenced in November 2025, experienced widespread delays among mills in major producing regions like Guangxi and Yunnan. Consequently, the production peak became heavily concentrated in February and March 2026, boosting the early-year statistical metrics.
Regionally, China’s top two sugar-producing provinces posted remarkable gains:
-
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (The nation’s largest producer) yielded a cumulative 7.697 million metric tons of sugar during this crushing season, a YoY increase of 19.06%.
-
Yunnan Province (The second-largest producer) reported a cumulative sugar output of 2.928 million metric tons as of the end of May, an increase of 509,600 metric tons (+21.07% YoY).
Low International Prices Stimulate Processing of Imports Since late 2025, international raw sugar prices have retreated to 5-year lows, effectively opening a lucrative import window for Chinese refiners. This price disparity triggered a substantial influx of foreign sugar.
Customs and market data reveal that China imported 860,000 metric tons of sugar from January to May 2026, representing a 39.9% YoY surge. As these massive arrivals of raw sugar entered coastal refineries, the output of processed and refined sugar expanded proportionally, further driving up the national aggregate figures.
A Long-Term Historical Perspective The current surge places 2026 on track to continue the strong momentum observed in 2025, during which China’s annual refined sugar output reached 16.21 million metric tons (+9.0% YoY). That annual volume stands as the second-highest in historical records, just shy of the peak of 16.60 million metric tons recorded in 2014.
💡 Deep Dive Analytics
For comprehensive historical trends, monthly breakdowns, and policy impacts regarding China’s foreign trade, access our pillar resource:
China Sugar Import & Trade Comprehensive Report
.
From a long-term cyclical perspective, China’s annual refined sugar production has consistently remained above 13 million metric tons since 2012, with peak periods stretching beyond 16 million metric tons. Although output dipped temporarily to 12.71 million metric tons in 2023 due to weather anomalies, it has since rebounded strongly and continues to operate within a high-volume range.
Ynsugar Market Outlook Looking ahead at the China sugar production 2026 landscape, industry analysts note that with the domestic cane-crushing season practically concluded, the sharp spike in cumulative production will normalize. However, given the ample domestic reserves and steady arrivals of imported raw materials, China’s refined sugar supply is expected to remain highly comfortable and resilient in the short term.
Below is the structured data from the National Bureau of Statistics for May 2026:
| Indicator | May 2026 | Apr 2026 | Mar 2026 | Feb 2026 |
| Refined Sugar Output – Monthly Value (10,000 Metric Tons) | 56.2 | 104.3 | 312.5 | — |
| Refined Sugar Output – Cumulative Value (10,000 Metric Tons) | 1,131.2 | 1,074.6 | 988.4 | 677.9 |
| Refined Sugar Output – YoY Growth (%) | 42.3 | 73.3 | 79.9 | — |
| Refined Sugar Output – Cumulative YoY Growth (%) | 28.6 | 28.0 | 26.6 | 11.4 |
Disclaimer: The information and statistical data contained in this article are derived from publicly available sources, including the National Bureau of Statistics of China, regional sugar industry associations, and customs clearance reports. While ynsugar strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the compiled information, it does not guarantee its absolute completeness or timeliness. This article is intended solely for informational and market-analysis purposes and does not constitute trading, investment, or commercial advice.
