Every few months, the sugar market gets flooded with offers that sound too good to be true — Brazilian sugar CIF at USD $420, USD $400, sometimes even lower.
If you’ve been in the trade long enough, you’ve probably seen them, too.

But here’s the truth: there are no “cheap” prices for Brazilian sugar — not in 2025, and not for anyone operating under legitimate export structure.
Let’s break down why, and more importantly, how to identify a real offer from one that simply isn’t possible.

1. Brazil’s Sugar Is a Global Benchmark, Not a Discount Product

Brazil isn’t just another exporter — it’s the world’s largest producer and price reference for ICUMSA 45 refined sugar and VHP raw sugar.
That means the FOB Santos benchmark directly influences the global CIF structure.

As of Q4 2025, the realistic CIF Asia price for ICUMSA 45 ranges between USD $530 – $560/MT, depending on freight and allocation.
If someone offers CIF China or Dubai at USD $430/MT, it’s already below production + freight cost, which means it’s not possible within standard export procedure.

2. Why “Cheap” Prices Don’t Exist

There are several hard cost factors that make ultra-low prices impossible:

• Domestic cane cost in Brazil: cane accounts for 65–70% of total production cost.
• Freight and handling: freight rates from Santos to Asia remain at USD $40 – $60/MT.
• Export documentation and taxes: legal compliance, insurance, and SGS inspection fees add another USD $10 – $15/MT.
• Currency and hedging impact: the BRL/USD exchange affects pricing daily; no seller can undercut global parity sustainably.

Put simply, if the CIF number doesn’t even cover those costs, it’s not a real deal — it’s a marketing illusion.

3. How to Identify a Real Sugar Offer

If you’re evaluating a Brazilian sugar supplier, here’s what matters more than a low number:

• Allocation Source
  A real supplier can show proof of allocation against mill capacity — not just a copied FCO.
• Payment Structure
  Legitimate deals use SBLC transferable or escrow structures. Any seller insisting on advance payment without verifiable allocation is a red flag.
• Price Logic
  Real offers always align with global benchmarks — a small difference due to freight, not hundreds of dollars per ton.
• Documentation Timing
  Export documents (SGS, BL, ICUMSA certificate) are released bank-to-bank, not shared via WhatsApp or email before financial compliance.

4. The Market Reality: Real Price ≠ Cheap Price

The global sugar trade is about transparency and structure, not magic numbers.
Brazilian sugar is priced according to benchmark — not discounted, but dependable.

So when you see an offer for CIF $430 or lower, it’s not that the price is good.
It’s that the math simply doesn’t work

Conclusion

There are no “cheap” prices for sugar in Brazil — only realistic ones.
Understanding how to read price logic, payment terms, and allocation proof is the difference between a successful deal and a wasted effort.

Real sugar offers are built on structure, not slogans.
And in this business, the only thing cheaper than false prices is lost time