Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Eastern Africa expanded from 118.2 thousand tons to 141.1 thousand tons. This growth was supported by the establishment of large market centers in Ethiopia to stabilize prices and support traders, along with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enhance market access and competitiveness for quality products. Government initiatives to improve agricultural productivity and market linkages for sugarcane also contributed to a more stable supply chain.

The market volume dropped sharply to 100.1 thousand tons in 2021, primarily due to regulatory enforcement actions in Rwanda that removed adulterated honey products containing added sugar from the market and cracked down on illicit beverage production, which affected the broader sweetener sector. Recovery began in 2022, reaching 106.7 thousand tons, and continued to 119.7 thousand tons in 2023, driven by increased institutional demand from school food supply contracts in Rwanda that included sugar and related products.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2017-2020

Eastern Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2018, production hit its lowest point at 94.2 K t, with a significant decline of 20.2% that year. By 2020, output had rebounded strongly to 119.8 K t, marking a 21.0% increase over the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Eastern Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production value has increased after two years of decline. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 18.5%, averaging a 6.6% annual decrease. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 491.3 M $ US, following a sharp 27.2% drop in 2018. In 2020, production rebounded to 562.2 M $ US, showing a substantial year-over-year gain of 14.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Eastern Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports have risen for the third consecutive year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 60.3%, averaging a 17.0% annual increase. In 2020, exports reached 18 734 t, up by 20.5% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, and Botswana were consistently the main destinations for Eastern Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 32.3% of total flows, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo leading at 28.0%, followed by South Africa at 3.2% and Botswana at 1.0%.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Eastern Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery export value has increased for the third year in a row. Over the period 2017-2020, exports grew by 28.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%. In 2020, exports totalled 87 936 K $ US, up by 14.0% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, and Ghana formed the core group of markets for Eastern Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in value terms. Together, they represented 33.8% of total flows, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounting for 28.2%, South Africa for 4.6%, and Ghana for 0.9%.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Eastern Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery import volume has declined after two years of growth. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 11.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. In 2019, imports peaked at 42 389 t, showing a 10.4% increase that year. By 2020, imports had fallen to 40 089 t, down by 5.4% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017–2020, imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Eastern Africa in volume terms were relatively evenly distributed. India, Pakistan, and China were the top sources, but together they accounted for only 23.1% of total flows, with India at 9.5%, Pakistan at 7.2%, and China at 6.4%.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Eastern Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery import value has decreased after two years of improvement. Over the period 2017-2020, imports declined by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.0%. In 2019, imports reached their highest point at 99 583 K $ US, with a 3.3% increase that year. By 2020, imports had dropped to 92 297 K $ US, showing a moderate year-over-year decrease of 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The analysis of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets for Eastern Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery. South Africa, India, and Pakistan were the leading sources, but together they accounted for only 20.2% of total flows, with South Africa at 7.3%, India at 6.6%, and Pakistan at 6.3%. The remaining 79.8% came from other partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020