Sugar

Sugar is the generic name for sweet-tasting, soluble carbohydrates, many of

which are used in food. Simple sugars, also called monosaccharides,

include glucose, fructose, and galactose. It can take 12-18 months for sugar

cane to mature fully in the field before it can be harvested.

Sugar is considered an integral part of the human diet and many staple foods.

Sugarcane accounts for nearly 80% of global sugar production. The top ten

sugar producing countries – Brazil, India, Thailand, China, the US, Mexico,

Russia, Pakistan, France and Australia account for nearly 75% of the global

output. Brazil accounts for 40% of world sugar exports and is the key player in

the international market, with 70% of its total production being exported in

the international market.