How much water does it take to produce sugar?

January 11, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the Water Footprint Network, the global average water footprint for refined cane sugar is approximately 1,780 liters per kilogram. This staggering figure highlights the considerable amount of water required to produce sugar, a process that extends far beyond the factory gates to include the cultivation of water-intensive crops like sugarcane and sugar beet.

Quick Summary

The virtual water content of sugar is substantial, with sugarcane demanding significantly more water than sugar beet. This consumption includes rainwater, irrigation, and dilution water for pollutants. Variations exist based on crop type, climate, and farming practices, underscoring the environmental implications of sugar's global production.

Key Points

Significant water demand: The global average virtual water footprint for refined cane sugar is roughly 1,780 liters per kilogram, highlighting high consumption.
Crop-specific variations: Sugarcane generally has a larger water footprint per kilogram of sugar than sugar beet, mainly due to higher reliance on irrigation.
Complex water footprint: The total water footprint includes green water (rain), blue water (irrigation), and grey water (for pollutant dilution).
Processing and pollution: Industrial milling adds to water consumption and produces wastewater containing pollutants, which contributes to the grey water footprint.
Efficiency improvements: Implementing efficient irrigation techniques and water recycling in factories can substantially reduce the water footprint of sugar production.
Environmental impact: Wastewater discharge from sugar mills, if not treated, can severely pollute water bodies and impact local ecosystems and human health.
Virtual water trade: The concept of virtual water helps understand how water is embedded in traded goods, influencing water management decisions on a global scale.

Understanding Sugar's Thirst: The Virtual Water Footprint

The volume of water needed to produce sugar is not a simple calculation, as it involves the concept of a 'virtual water footprint.' This footprint accounts for the entire water usage throughout a product's lifecycle, from agriculture to industrial processing. It is a critical metric for understanding the environmental impact of food production, particularly for water-intensive commodities like sugar. The water footprint is broken down into three components: 'green' water (rainwater stored in the soil), 'blue' water (surface and groundwater from irrigation), and 'grey' water (the volume of freshwater needed to dilute pollutants).

Sugarcane vs. Sugar Beet: A Tale of Two Crops

Globally, sugar is primarily sourced from two crops: sugarcane and sugar beet. The water requirements for these vary, largely due to differences in their growth cycles, climates, and farming practices. Sugarcane, a tropical crop often grown with intensive irrigation, has a considerably larger water footprint per kilogram of refined sugar compared to sugar beet, which is a temperate crop.

Sugarcane: Sugarcane relies heavily on irrigation in hot climates. The water footprint of refined cane sugar is about 1,780 liters per kilogram globally, with significant 'blue water' usage in dry regions.
Sugar Beet: Sugar beet generally has a lower total water footprint, often utilizing green water (rainfall) more efficiently in temperate climates.

Water Usage in Industrial Processing

Industrial processing of sugar also uses and pollutes water. Milling requires water for dilution and cleaning. Wastewater can contain pollutants if not treated properly. However, the industry is working to minimize this impact through water recycling and optimization.

Comparison of Water Footprints


Metric	Sugar from Sugarcane	Sugar from Sugar Beet
Total Water Footprint per kg	~1,780 liters	~935 liters (Global Average)
Primary Water Source	Heavily reliant on blue water (irrigation) in many regions.	Higher reliance on green water (rainfall), especially in temperate zones.
Key Pollutant Factor	Significant 'grey water' component from leaching of fertilizers and pesticides.	Also contributes grey water, but often lower fertilizer application rates compared to intensely irrigated crops.
Processing Water Needs	Requires water for crushing, boiling, and washing.	Also uses water for processing, with modern plants optimizing for efficiency.
Environmental Water Stress	Cultivation in water-stressed regions exacerbates local water scarcity issues.	Less stressful on blue water resources due to location and efficiency.

The Path Toward Sustainable Sugar

Reducing sugar's water footprint involves more efficient farming and processing methods. Drip irrigation can reduce farm water use. In processing plants, water recycling and optimization can cut freshwater intake and wastewater discharge. Consumers can also contribute by choosing alternative sweeteners and sourcing sugar from regions known for water-efficient production.

Conclusion: The Sweet, Water-Intensive Truth

The water footprint of sugar is significant, encompassing water used in cultivation (rainwater and irrigation) and industrial processing. Sugarcane production is particularly water-intensive, though the overall impact varies based on crop type and geographic location. Understanding this 'virtual water' concept can help inform consumer choices and promote sustainable practices. Recognizing the water usage embedded in our food consumption is essential for managing global water resources {Link: researchgate.net https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228683849_The_water_footprint_of_sweeteners_and_bio-ethanol_from_sugar_cane_sugar_beet_and_maize}. Potential improvements for water management in sugar production are available {Link: researchgate.net https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228683849_The_water_footprint_of_sweeteners_and_bio-ethanol_from_sugar_cane_sugar_beet_and_maize}.

Frequently Asked Questions

The virtual water content is the total volume of freshwater used to produce a product throughout its entire supply chain, including the water used to grow the raw crop, process it, and dilute pollutants.

The amount varies by crop, but the global average for cane sugar is approximately 1,780 liters per kilogram, while sugar beet requires less, around 935 liters per kilogram.

Sugarcane is a tropical crop with a long growing season and high evapotranspiration rate, meaning it requires significant water, often supplied through intensive irrigation, especially in drier climates.

Generally, yes. Sugar beet has a lower total water footprint because it relies more on rainwater and is often grown in temperate climates, reducing the need for intensive irrigation.

Water for sugar production comes from three main sources: green water (rainfall), blue water (irrigation from surface and groundwater), and grey water (the water needed to dilute pollutants from fertilizers and pesticides).

Sugar mills can implement water conservation techniques such as recycling process water, using hot condensate instead of fresh water, and optimizing water circuits to reduce overall consumption.

Untreated wastewater from sugar mills can pollute local water sources with high levels of organic matter and chemicals, harming aquatic life and contaminating soil and groundwater.

Yes, significantly. Production in water-scarce regions, like parts of Pakistan, places a high burden on local water resources, while production in rainier climates might rely more on green water.

The virtual water concept highlights how countries can save their own water resources by importing water-intensive products like sugar from countries where production is more water-efficient, effectively trading 'virtual water'.

The grey water footprint is the volume of freshwater required to assimilate the load of pollutants, like those from fertilizers and pesticides, to maintain acceptable water quality standards.