Sugar production starts with either sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) or sugar beets (Beta vulgaris), the two primary sources of sucrose. Sucrose is found in many plants, but it occurs at concentrations high enough for economic recovery only in those two; the sugar maple tree and the date palm also produce sucrose, but these are relatively minor sources in comparison. Sugarcane is a tropical and subtropical grass. Sugar beets, on the other hand, are root crops grown in temperate regions. Both plants undergo different cultivation and harvesting processes, but their farming shares the common goal of maximizing sucrose content for efficient sugar extraction. Sugarcane is typically harvested by hand or machine, while commercial harvesting of sugar beets uses specialized machinery to lift them from the ground.

Once harvested, the sugarcane or sugar beets are transported to processing facilities where the extraction process begins. For sugarcane, the stalks are chopped and shredded before being crushed to extract the juice, which is then clarified and concentrated. In contrast, sugar beets are sliced into thin strips called cossettes, which are then soaked in hot water to extract the sugar. This process results in a raw juice that contains a mixture of sucrose and other plant materials. The juice is then purified through a series of steps to remove impurities and prepare it for crystallization.

The purified sugarcane or sugar beet juice is then concentrated further through evaporation, transforming it into a thick syrup. This syrup is subjected to a process called crystallization, where fine seed crystals are introduced to encourage the formation of sugar crystals. The mixture is then spun in centrifuges to separate the sugar crystals from the remaining liquid, a mother liquor known as molasses. This step is crucial as it determines the quality and purity of the sugar produced. The sugar crystals are then washed, dried, and cooled to prevent clumping and ensure they are ready for packaging. This raw sugar is stored in bags and shipped in bulk, like grain, for industrial refinement.

The final step in sugar production is refining, which involves further purification to produce white sugar. Raw sugar is dissolved and treated with additional purification processes to remove any remaining impurities and colorants. The refined sugar is then crystallized again, resulting in the pure white sugar commonly used in households and industries. This refined sugar can be further processed into various forms, such as granulated sugar, powdered sugar, or sugar cubes.

For a more detailed examination of the many steps involved in sugar processing, see sugar.