How the Worldwide Sugar Shortage Can Affect Your Holiday Baking

In the world of baking, sugar is the most essential ingredient. However, what happens when the supply becomes limited? What kind of impact does it have on your holiday baking?

Sugar Shortage

(Photo : Pixels/Nicole Michalou)

Aside from being the world's most prominent sugar supplier, Brazil continues to produce vast amounts of sugar. Since last year, the country has increased its sugar production by 25%. However, this does not compensate for the significant decreases other providers suffer.

As mentioned, even though India is the world's second-largest sugar provider, it has reduced its export quota to 6 million tons, about half of the 11 million tons it typically exports. Also, there is a high probability that Thailand, which is the third-largest provider in the world, will reduce its quota by 20%.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the frequency, duration, and severity of droughts in the United States have all increased due to climate change. Due to El Niño, which is anticipated to cause worsening drought in both nations over the next few months, the worldwide sugar market will continue to be susceptible to supply and price fluctuation in the coming months.

Jon Davis, the chief meteorologist at Everstream Analytics, stated that there is a global shortage of roughly 5.5 million metric tons of sugar. This shortage impacts not only the ability to acquire your preferred sweet treats but also the availability of the essential components required to bake them yourself. He also mentioned that the decrease in supply is mainly the result of a further poor harvest that is anticipated to occur in India amid monsoon rains that are below average and total the lowest volumes in the past five years.

On the other hand, Taste of Home stated that honey or maple syrup are two options that can be used as a time-saving alternative to sugar in the baking process. For other culinary purposes, you can also use a wide variety of sugar substitutes, such as molasses, agave, and stevia, which can be utilized for various cooking purposes. Additionally, ensure that you carry out a trial run of your Christmas cookies using these substitutes to identify any necessary adjustments before the arrival of the holiday season.

Effect of Sugar Shortage on Baking

Several bakers were already grappling with financial difficulties while enduring increased petroleum and flour expenses and were ultimately compelled to close permanently due to the excessive sugar prices.

Bread, an essential item for Nigeria's 210 million people, requires sugar to be made. Additionally, bread provides a low-cost source of calories for many individuals having trouble putting food on the table. Thus, due to rising sugar prices that increased by 55% in just two months, there are now fewer bakers, which causes less bread to be produced.

Moreover, on September 28, 138 workers at the Rogers Sugar refinery in Vancouver went on strike, and as a result, bakers and customers are now feeling a negative aftertaste. The business owner of Nestor's Bakery, located on Saskatoon's 20th Street, Keith Jorgenson, stated that the bakery is experiencing the effects of scarcity, mainly because Christmas is drawing near.

According to Jorgenson, granulated and frosting sugar are more readily available; brown sugar is currently only available from one wholesaler. Since brown sugar is an essential component of the bakery's cinnamon buns, baking the delicious treat using white sugar would not produce the same dark and caramelized appearance for the buns.