Sweet balance
In the meantime, in the Brazilian domestic scenario the con-
sumption of sugar suffers from the reflections of the economic
recession. This effect was also detected by the US Department of
Agriculture (USDA) for the 2015/16 crop year and is supposed to
hold true for the coming crop, when consumption is expected to
fall from 11.4 million tons to 10.9 million tons, and 10.8 million
tons in the respective seasons. At the same time, according to the
forecast of this organ, released in May 2016, Brazilian sugar ex-
ports are supposed to reach 26.1 million tons in the new cycle.
The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (Unica), in
foreign market terms, also stresses the need to fight against
protectionist measures adopted by sugarcane producing coun-
tries, as is the case in Thailand, second biggest exporter. In the
general and domestic scenario, the Union equally points to
the need of strengthening the fight against false myths relative
to the consumption of sugar, like its connection with obesity.
There are initiatives towards this end, with support from the
Minas Gerais State Association of Sugar and Alcohol Industries
(Siamig), the Goiás State Industry Unions (Sifaeg) and Paraíba
(Sindalcool), known as “Sweet Balance Campaign”.
This initiative gives publicity to information on food,
healthy eating habits and the consumption of sugar, suggest-
ing that it should be an integral part of any balanced diet, as
well as an ingredient in dishes that excel in taste and consis-
tence. Sugar is a product that is deeply rooted in Brazilian cul-
ture. “For a person who has access to a balanced diet, practic-
es exercises regularly and adheres to a well-balanced lifestyle,
sugar should be a part of their routine, and does not cause any
problem”, says Daniel Magnoni, cardiologist and chief of the
nutrition department at Dante Pazzanese Cardiology Institute,
the organ that conducted a survey known as “Balanced Con-
sumption, a new perception on sugar”.
Sugar, amajor item on
Brazil’s export agenda,
brings in hefty dividends
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