Top Other Sugar Crop Producing Countries

"Other Sugar Crop" refers to sugar-producing plants beyond the two most common sources: sugarcane and sugar beet. These alternative crops include sweet sorghum, sugar maple, date palm, and certain varieties of millet and palms. India and China are among the top countries cultivating sweet sorghum for syrup and ethanol, while the United States and Canada lead in sugar maple production for maple syrup. Date palm, a significant sugar crop in arid regions, is extensively farmed in Egypt, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Historically, the domestication of these crops developed independently: indigenous peoples in North America tapped maple trees for sugar long before European colonization, while sweet sorghum was cultivated in Africa and Asia for both grain and syrup. The spread of these crops was often driven by local adaptation to climate and the need for alternative sweeteners, especially in regions where sugarcane and sugar beet were less viable. Today, these "other sugar crops" play important roles in local economies, traditional diets, and sustainable agriculture.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat