Sugar Market Drops Sharply – May Contract Hit by Expiry Pressure

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📉 Sugar Market Drops Sharply – May Contract Hit by Expiry Pressure

On 15 April 2025, ICE Sugar No. 5 futures saw significant losses. The May 2025 contract plunged by 2.79% to USD 513.10/t (EUR 477.20/t), pressured by expiration-related liquidation and continued lack of physical demand. All subsequent contracts also declined, while EU spot offers remain unchanged at EUR 0.55–0.58/kg FCA, though momentum appears to be fading.


📊 ICE Sugar No. 5 – Closing Summary (15.04.2025)

Contract Close (USD/t) Change (%) Close (EUR/t)
May 25 513.10 -2.79% 477.20
Aug 25 490.10 -1.61% 455.79
Oct 25 484.80 -1.51% 450.86
Dec 25 484.40 -1.38% 450.49
Mar 26 487.40 -1.21% 453.28
May 26 486.70 -1.01% 452.63

(Exchange rate: 1 USD = 0.93 EUR)


🧭 Market Commentary

📉 May Expiry Pressure Dominate– Heavy liquidation in the front-month contract drove prices sharply lower.
– Traders rolled positions into August and October contracts, which also declined.

🇪🇺 EU Prices Hold – But Sentiment Softens
– No change was reported in the offers: EUR 0.56–0.59/kg FCA.
– Feedback from buyers suggests resistance is growing, especially with global prices dropping.

🛍️ Retail Market Remains Stable But Lower
– Discount pricing continues across CEE and Germany – no signal of upward retail movement.

Mintec Global

🛒 Current 1 kg Retail Sugar Prices (as of 15.04.2025)

Last checked: All prices verified within the last 3 days.

Country Supermarket Price per kg (EUR) Note/Source
Germany Edeka 0.69 € Standard shelf price
Poland Biedronka 0.42 € Standard shelf price
Austria SPAR 1.58 € 0.79 €/500 g Staubzucker
Czech Rep. Kaufland 0.50 € With Kaufland Card
France Carrefour 1.60 € Promotional offer
UK Tesco 0.96 € £0.82 Aldi Price Match
Netherlands Albert Heijn 1.79 € Bonus price

🔮 3-Day Price Forecast (16–18 April 2025)

Date USD/t Range EUR/t Range
16 Apr 508 – 518 472 – 481
17 Apr 505 – 515 470 – 479
18 Apr 502 – 512 467 – 476

📌 Outlook:
The downtrend remains intact. The next key support lies at USD 510/t. Without demand, pressure is likely to continue.


📉 Global Sugar Balance Sheet (2021–2025f)

Year Production Consumption Ending Stocks
2021/22 17.0 Mt 18.0 Mt 4.0 Mt
2022/23 16.5 Mt 17.8 Mt 3.8 Mt
2023/24 15.9 Mt 17.5 Mt 3.5 Mt
2024/25* 16.2 Mt 17.3 Mt 3.3 Mt

🧭 Conclusion & Strategy

✅ Market confirms bearish outlook – weakness spreading across the curve.
❌ EU producers still pushing high offers – but buyers are increasingly resistant.
📉 Technical and fundamental pressure weighs heavily on price.

📌 Recommendations:

  • 🛒 Buyers: Push back on offers – spot prices should begin correcting.
  • 📦 Sellers: Adjust pricing strategy – current levels not aligned with the market.
  • 📊 Traders: Watch for further downside if USD 510/t fails to hold.

📍 Summary: A structural correction may be underway. Watch EU market sentiment closely.