Thailand Sugar Harvest Season 2026: What Buyers Need to Know

Thailand's Sugar Crushing Season Explained

Thailand is the world's second-largest sugar exporter after Brazil. Unlike year-round production in some tropical countries, Thai sugar output is seasonal — tightly tied to the sugarcane harvest cycle. Understanding this calendar is essential for buyers who want the best pricing and on-time delivery.

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The Thai Sugar Crop Calendar

2025/26 season highlights:

• Crushing began: November 2025
• Estimated end: April 2026
• Thai Office of the Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB) estimated crush: ~90–95 million tonnes of cane
• Projected white sugar output: ~10–11 million MT

The 2025/26 crop is on track to be one of Thailand's largest in three years, following improved rainfall in key growing regions (Kanchanaburi, Suphanburi, Nakhon Sawan).

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How the Season Affects FOB Pricing

Sugar prices in Thailand follow a predictable seasonal pattern:

November–January (Early Season)

• New crop sugar begins flowing
• Mills compete to move inventory → prices often softer
• Best window for buyers seeking low FOB rates
• Typical lead time: 3–4 weeks for FOB Bangkok loading

February–March (Mid-Season)

• Peak production — highest availability of ICUMSA 45 and raw sugar
• Both spot and forward contracts available
• Stable pricing, good supply
• Ideal for buyers needing large volumes (500 MT+)

April (Late Season)

• Crushing winds down
• Prices start to firm as new crop supply ends
• Forward contracts for post-season delivery become important

May–October (Off-Season)

• Crushing complete; only warehouse stock available
• Prices typically 5–10% higher than peak season
• Lead times extend to 4–6 weeks as stock is managed
• Smart buyers lock in post-season supply during February–March with forward contracts

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2026 Export Price Outlook

As of April 2026, the ICE No. 11 raw sugar contract trades near 14 US cents/lb — approximately 29% below year-ago levels. This translates to competitive FOB Bangkok pricing:

Key factor for 2026: Global supply is high (Brazil record crop + Thai recovery), which has kept prices suppressed. This is a favourable buying environment — buyers who lock in H1 2026 supply at current prices are well-positioned if markets tighten in late 2026 as Brazilian availability drops.

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What Forward Contracts Look Like

A typical forward purchase:

• Volume: 500–1,000 MT per shipment
• Grade: ICUMSA 45, 50 kg bags, 20-foot containers
• Pricing: Fixed FOB Bangkok rate agreed today; loading in June–August 2026
• Payment: 30% deposit on contract; 70% against B/L
• Price benefit: 3–5% below estimated spot price at time of loading

Forward contracts offer price certainty and guaranteed supply during the off-season. For buyers who purchase sugar regularly, a 3–6 month rolling contract is common.

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Practical Tips for 2026 Buyers

1. Buy before April ends — you can still catch late-season stock at compressed prices
2. For June–October delivery, use a forward contract — spot availability tightens after crushing stops
3. Request a COA dated within 60 days — fresh-crushed sugar has better colour ratings than aged warehouse stock
4. Ask about Halal certification validity — certificates must be current; some markets require issue within 6 months of shipment
5. Specify 50-ppm SO₂ max — some markets (EU, Japan) have strict sulfur dioxide limits for refined white sugar

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Get Your 2026 Supply Secured

Kanthararom Sugar has allocation available for the remainder of the 2025/26 season and for forward contracts into Q3 2026. We export ICUMSA 45, ICUMSA 100, raw sugar, and organic grades — in 25 kg, 50 kg bags, and 1 MT jumbo bags.

Request a quote specifying your grade, volume, destination port, and preferred loading window. We respond within 4 hours with FOB pricing and availability confirmation.