The invention discloses a hydraulic energy-saving control system for a forklift truck and a method for reducing the working energy consumption of the forklift truck. The hydraulic energy-saving control system comprises a steering gear of the forklift truck and a work valve and further comprises a first variable pump, a second variable pump and a control unit. The first variable pump is provided with a load feedback signal receiving port which is connected with a load feedback signal output port of the steering gear and a load feedback signal output port of the work valve. An oil outlet of the first variable pump is connected with an oil inlet of the steering gear and an oil inlet of the work valve. An oil outlet of the second variable pump is communicated with the oil inlet of the work valve. The control unit is connected with the second variable pump. According to the method for reducing the working energy consumption of the forklift truck, when the steering gear and/or the work valve of the forklift truck work/works, the first variable pump supplies oil to the steering gear and/or the work valve of the forklift truck; and when the work valve of the forklift truck has the requirement for large flow, the second variable pump and the first variable pump supply oil to the work valve together. According to the hydraulic energy-saving control system, oil can be supplied reasonably according to the flow of the steering gear and the work valve, so that waste of displacement is avoided, and energy is saved.