FAOThe UN agency responsible for agricultural products and food warns of how food prices are rising around the world in its September price report. sugar. In fact, last year this key ingredient in the food industry increased by 48.3% in international markets, reaching 162.7 points; This is something not seen since November 2010. In Spain, its price has increased by 40.5% since September 2022. %. So could sugar be a new nutritional factor? inflationlike for a few months olive oil?
1. What caused the price increase?
The reasons for the increase in sugar prices around the world are as follows: FAO Food Price Index (English abbreviation for Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), on the one hand bad crop On the one hand, the crisis experienced in producing countries such as Thailand and India due to the meteorological El Niño phenomenon, and on the other hand, the increase in production costs caused by the rise in oil prices. BoyThe meteorological cycle, which officially started last June this year, is a meteorological cycle that repeats on the planet with a frequency ranging from two to seven years. Its arrival increases the rainy seasons in North and South America, while causing normally rainy South Asia and Australia to become abnormally dry and experience periods of drought.
FAO experts state that the price increase may increase further Brazil is the largest sugar cane producer The influence of the world could not lessen this effect. The South American country, which is currently in full harvest (with a forecast increase of 6.9% compared to last year), had a positive tone, unlike what is happening in Southeast Asia. This, in addition to the weakening of the currency real against the US dollar, limited the monthly increase in global sugar prices.
2. How have prices developed in recent years?
Sugar price index In September, the average was 162.7 points; This is 14.5 points (9.8%) more than in the previous month and 53 points (48.3% more) than in September 2022. The document emphasizes that these are figures that have not been reached for 13 years. weather conditions It was not very positive in the growing countries and also in the non-producing countries there was a certain recovery in the demand for the product and therefore had to import. In fact, 2010 was considered the year when sugar prices were the most volatile in the previous thirty years.
Room spanish market Already noticing the increase in international prices. Here, sugar increased by 40.5% last year, according to the latest CPI data, but the increase between August and September appears to be 0.4%. The increases seen internationally from here would still not be transferred to Spain. There is currently a retail price for a kilo of white sugar in most popular supermarkets. 1.45 eurosTwo years ago the average was 0.97.
3. Which products are most affected?
Unlike olive oil, which has a high content Domestic consumption In Spain, sugar is a widely used ingredient, as sugar directly affects the little buyer. agri-food industry both in jams, dairy products, pastries, cookies and beverages. Sugar plays a role in both the production, transformation and preparation of these foods, as well as in their preservation and packaging. The increase in prices is therefore both sugary drinks like Pastry shoppassing through tomato saucesfor example yoghurts, breakfast cereals and even baby food.
4. What alternatives does the consumer have?
There are various options on the market for sweeteners that replace sugar and are healthier at the same time. Starting with steviaObtained from the plant of the same name, xylitolIt is a substance obtained from corn or birch trees and found in many fruits and vegetables. And of course there are also: Honey, Sugar cane And maple syrupAll of them are of natural origin and are also recommended by doctors and nutritionists.
One of the options for obtaining sugar from cane for the industry is sugar made from beets, an industry that has a long tradition in Spain but is difficult to compete with imported product.