
Sugar Market Struggles with Confidence โ Price Swings Continue Despite Rebound
๐ Sugar Market Struggles with Confidence โ Price Swings Continue Despite Rebound
Although ICE Sugar No. 5 futures recovered slightly on 25 March 2025, sugar remains a problem child in the global market. The May 2025 contract rose 0.42% to USD 544.70/t (EUR 506.57/t), yet spot prices remain under pressure. In Poland, a 1โฏkg retail bag is reportedly sold for just EUR 0.37/kg, undermining efforts by producers to justify higher prices.๐ ICE Sugar No. 5 โ Market Summary (25.03.2025)
(Exchange rate: 1 USD = 0.93 EUR)๐งญ Market Drivers & Commentary
๐น Moderate Rebound โ But Still a Rollercoaster Ride- Small gains across all contracts reflect technical recovery, not renewed demand.
- Analysts continue to describe sugar as "volatile and uncertain".
- Discounter stores in Poland reportedly offer 1โฏkg bags at EUR 0.37/kg.
- This is well below industry break-even and contradicts producers' rhetoric of "necessary price increases."
- The market policy appears disconnected from real consumer pricing.
- Spot prices hold at EUR 0.50 โ 0.53/kg FCA.
- Forward offers for Q4/2025 remain high but lack conviction and urgency from buyers.
๐ฎ 3-Day Forecast (26โ28 March 2025)
๐ Outlook:Short-term stability is possible, but sentiment remains fragile due to weak retail and wholesale alignment.๐ Global Fundamentals
๐ Conclusion & Strategy
โ Sugar prices rebound โ but the trend remains fragileโ Retail prices in Eastern Europe undercut market logicโ EU producers' strategy lacks credibility when spot and retail prices divergeRecommendations:
- ๐ Buyers: Leverage retail pressure to negotiate better terms
- ๐ผ Sellers: Only push price increases with clear volume commitments
- ๐ Traders: Watch support at 535 USD/t and resistance near 550 USD/t for intraday setups
