Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sugarcane Agriculture and Sugar Industry in China

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Sugar Tech Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

China is the world’s third largest sugar producing country after Brazil and India. During milling years 2004/2005 and 2013/2014, the average yearly sugar production in China was 11.64 MT, 49.86 % more that in the previous decade. However, the major increase came from Guangxi province, which produced 7.21 MT sugar per annum in average in recent decade, increased by 104.25 % compared to the production of 3.53 MT sugar per annum in average during 1994/1994 and 2003/2004. Sugarcane contributed more than 90 % of the total sugar production in recent decade. Chinese sugar industry encompasses 270 operating sugar mills, 233 sugarcane, and 37 sugar beet. In the milling year 2007/2008, the total sugar production in China reached 14.83 MT, which was 24.04 % higher than that in previous milling year; and cane sugar production reached 13.67 MT, which occupied 92.18 % of the total. However, the severe low temperature and drought occurred almost every year since 2008, which caused continuous in cane and sugar productivity in the subsequent years. The sugar production began recovering since 2011/2012, and reached 13.32 MT sugar in 2013/2014, still 10.18 % lower than that in 2007/2008. Guangxi is the largest sugarcane and sugar producer in China, 9.41 MT sugar in 2007/2008, and 8.56 MT sugar in 2013/2014. Besides, many products, such as pulp, paper, alcohol, yeast, xylitol, chemicals, cane juice, bio-manure, feed, and electricity are also produced from sugarcane. The sugar industry is also the major contributor to the socio-economic development of the major cane producing areas especially Guangxi, Yunnan and western Guangdong.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Chen, G.F., Q.Z. Tang, Y.R. Li, Y.Y. Huang, B. Liu, L. Xu, and H.R. Huang. 2012. Effects of sub-soil drip fertigation on sugarcane in field conditions. Sugar Tech 14(4): 418–421.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jian, R., S. Solomon, Y.R. Li, A. Chandra, and A.K. Srivastava. 2012. Ethephon: Impact on sugarcane physiology and sugar productivity. Udaipur, Rajasthan: Agrotech Publishing Academy, Sector-5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, Z.P., Y.R. Li, G.P. Wei, Q. Liao, T.M. Su, Y.C. Meng, H.Y. Zhang, and C.Y. Lu. 2012. Effect of long-term vinasse application on physicochemical properties of sugarcane field soils. Sugar Tech 14(4): 412–417.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y.R. 2004a. China: An emerging sugar super power. Sugar Tech 6(4): 213–228.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y.R. 2004b. Development of sugar industry in China. In Li YR, Solomon S. (Editors-in-Chief). Sustainable Sugarcane and Sugar Production Technology (Proceedings of the International Symposium on Sustainable Sugarcane and Sugar Production Technology, Nanning, Guangxi, China, November 29–December 02, 2004) pp. 47–59. China Agriculture Press, Beijing, China.

  • Li, Y.R. 2004c. Beneficial effects of ethephon application on sugarcane under sub-tropical climate of China. Sugar Tech 6(4): 235–240.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y.R. 2005a. Sugar industry in China: Progress and prospect. In Sugar cane: Production management and agro-industrial imperatives, 1st ed, ed. S. Solomon, S.S. Grewal, Y.R. Li, R.C. Magarey, and G.P. Tao, 641–664. Lucknow: International Book Distributing Co., India (Publishing Division).

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y.R. 2005b. Heralding a new era for sugar industry in China: Post IS-2004 scenario. Sugar Tech 7(1): 1–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y.R. 2006. Research and development strategies to improve sugar productivity in China. In Li, Y.R., S. Solomon (editors-in-chiefs), Technologies to improve sugar productivity in developing countries (Proceedings of the International Symposium IS-2006), Guilin, P.R. China, 2006, pp. 7–14. China Agriculture Press, Beijing, November 2006.

  • Li, Y.R. 2010. Modern sugarcane science. Beijing: China Agriculture Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y.R., and S. Solomon. 2003. Ethephon: A versatile growth regulator for sugar cane industry. Sugar Tech 5(4): 213–223.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y.R., and S. Solomon. 2004. Sustainable sugarcane and sugar production technology. Beijing: China Agriculture Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y.R., and S. Solomon. 2006. Technologies to improve sugar productivity in developing countries. Beijing: China Agriculture Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y.R., M.K. Srivastava, G.P. Rao, P. Singh, and S. Solomon. 2011. Balancing sugar and energy production in developing countries: Sustainable technologies and marketing strategies. Lucknow: Army Printing Press ibdc publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y.R., and Y.A. Wei. 2006. Sugar industry in China: R & D and policy initiative to meet sugar and biofuel demand of future. Sugar Tech 8(4): 203–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y.R., and L.T. Yang. 2008. Status of the sugar industry development in China. In Y.R. Li, M.I. Nasr, S. Solomon, G.P. Rao (Editors-in-Chief). Meeting the Challenges of Sugar Crops & Integrated Industries in Developing Countries (Proceedings of the International Conference IS − 2008, Al Arish, Egypt, September 11–14, 2008) pp. 759–763. Engineering House Press Co., Cairo, Egypt.

  • Li, Y.R., and L.T. Yang. 2009. New developments in sugarcane industry and technologies in China since 1990’s. Southwest China Journal of Agricultural Sciences 22(5): 1469–1476.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y.R., Q.Z. Zhu, and W.Z. Wang. 2008. Multiple location experiment of technique system for direct application of vinasse from cane mill in sugarcane fields. Journal of Southwest China Agricultural Sciences 21(3): 749–755.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y.R., Q.Z. Zhu, W.Z. Wang, and S. Solomon. 2007. Pre-emergence application of vinasse on sugarcane growth and sugar productivity in China. Sugar Tech 9(2&3): 160–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Y.R., Q.Z. Zhu, Y.P. Ye, W.Z. Wang, L.T. Yang, L.Q. Pan, and T. Xu. 2004. Sugarcane ripening trials with glyphosate-borate complex in commercial plantation of Shansi County, China using micro-light air-craft. In Li Y.R. and Solomon S. (Editors-in-Chief). Sustainable Sugarcane and Sugar Production Technology (Proceedings of the International Symposium on Sustainable Sugarcane and Sugar Production Technology, Nanning, Guangxi, China, November 29–December 02, 2004) pp. 560–563. China Agriculture Press, Beijing, China, November 2004.

  • Liao, Q., G.P. Wei, G.F. Chen, B. Liu, D.L. Huang, and Y.R. Li. 2013. Effect of trash addition to the soil on microbial communities and physico-chemical properties of soils and growth of sugarcane plants. Sugar Tech. doi:10.1007/s12355-013-0296-8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liao, Q., G.P. Wei, B. Liu, G.F. Chen, D.L. Huang, and Y.R. Li. 2010. Effects of mechanized deep ploughing and scarification cultivation technology on growth and yield of sugarcane. Guangxi Agricultural Sciences 41(6): 542–544.

    Google Scholar 

  • Su, T.M., Y.R. Li, G.P. Wei, Z.P. Jiang, Q. Liao, and S.B. Zhu. 2012. Macronutrients absorption and surface runoff losses under different fertilizer treatments in sugarcane field. Sugar Tech 14(3): 255–260.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wei, Y.A., and Y.R. Li. 2006. Status and trends of sugar industry in China. Sugar Tech 8(1): 10–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, L., H.R. Huang, Y.Y. Huang, G.F. Chen, L.T. Yang, and Y.R. Li. 2011. Spatial distribution of sugarcane root and soil available nutrients with subsurface drip irrigation in sugarcane field. Guangdong Agricultural Sciences 1: 78–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, L., H.R. Huang, L.T. Yang, and Y.R. Li. 2010. Combined application of NPK on yield and quality of sugarcane applied through SSDI. Sugar Tech 12(2): 104–107.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, L.T., F.L. Mo, Q.Z. Zhu, N. Li, Z.X. Ou, and Y.R. Li. 2012. Effect of vinasse application on sugarcane growth and yield. Journal of Southern Agriculture 43(1): 18–21.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, L.T., B.Q. Zhang, Q.Z. Zhu, Z.G. Li, W.Z. Wang, W.J. Chen, and Y.R. Li. 2011a. Effects of application of drought resistant sucrose-yield promoter sprayed by aircraft in large area of sugarcane. Chinese Journal of Tropical Crops 32(2): 189–197.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, L., G. Qin, L.T. Yang, J.M. Wu, R.H. Luo, Y.W. Wei, and Y.R. Li. 2011b. Optimization of sugarcane rapid propagation in temporary immersion bioreactors system. Journal of South China Agricultural University 32(3): 36–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, S.D., J.X. Liu, J. Wu, H.W. Tan, and Y.R. Li. 2013. Effects of vinasse and press mud application on the biological properties of soils and productivity of sugarcane. Sugar Tech 15(2): 152–158.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ye, Y.P., L.T. Yang, and Y.R. Li. 1995. Effects of deep ploughing and scarification on N, P and K absorption and cane yield and quality in sugarcane. Sugarcane 2(1): 50–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, Q.Z., Y.R. Li, W.Z. Wang, and J. Liao. 2009. Effect of continual quantitative rational application of vinasse in sugarcane field. Sugar Crops of China 2: 10–13.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The present study was supported by International Scientific Cooperation Program of China (2013DFA31600), Guangxi Special Funds for Bagui Scholars and Distinguished Experts, Guangxi Natural Science Foundation (2012GXNSFDA053011), and Guangxi R&D Program (GKG 1222009-1B, GKH 1347004-2, GKN 14121008-2-1).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement; Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Ministry of Agriculture; Sugarcane Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences-Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 174 East Daxue Road, Nanning, 530007, China

    Yang-Rui Li

  2. State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Agricultural College, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, Guangxi, China

    Li-Tao Yang

Authors
  1. Yang-Rui Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Li-Tao Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yang-Rui Li or Li-Tao Yang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, YR., Yang, LT. Sugarcane Agriculture and Sugar Industry in China. Sugar Tech 17, 1–8 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-014-0342-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-014-0342-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation