Molasses market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, molasses production in ECOWAS grew steadily, driven by ongoing investment and modernization in the sugar industry. In Côte d’Ivoire, SUCRIVOIRE undertook a rehabilitation program for its integrated agricultural units, while government performance contracts with sugar companies aimed to improve competitiveness and output. These measures supported higher sugar production, which in turn increased molasses output as a by-product.

The market volume jumped sharply in 2021, reaching 231 thousand tons, as national sugar production in Côte d’Ivoire approached 206 thousand tons against a domestic need of 240 thousand tons. The government's price caps on sugar helped regulate the market and maintain consumer accessibility, indirectly supporting the molasses supply from expanded sugar processing. A slight dip followed in 2022, with volumes settling at 225 thousand tons.

By 2023, production stabilized around 225 thousand tons. In Senegal, authorities announced plans to build two new sugar plants in Casamance to break the monopoly of the Compagnie Sucrière Sénégalaise (CSS) and reduce import dependence. CSS itself held substantial sugar stocks and pursued investment programs to raise annual output, signaling continued regional focus on sugar—and consequently molasses—production capacity.

Production molasses in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of molasses, 2017-2020

World map of production of molasses, 2017-2020

ECOWAS has seen molasses production grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 202.3 thousand tons of molasses, marking a modest 3.4% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of molasses output in ECOWAS reached 81 409 thousand US dollars, showing a dramatic 29.8% year-over-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 58.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 4.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports molasses from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS exported 72 tons of molasses, a 53.1% drop from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 28.3%.

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

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, ECOWAS exported 29 thousand US dollars worth of molasses, which is 41.2% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 60.6%, with an average annual decline of 26.7%. The largest decrease was in 2018, at 42.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, at 16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Bunkers were the core markets for ECOWAS molasses exports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 10.3% of exports, Portugal for 3.0%, and Bunkers for 1.0%, together making up 14.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports molasses to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, molasses import volumes in ECOWAS have increased. In 2020, imports reached 1 411 tons, a 31.4% rise from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 44.5%, equating to an average annual rate of 17.8%. The lowest volume was in 2019, at 1 074 tons, and the largest decline was in 2018, at 50.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, China, and Morocco were the key partners for molasses imports to ECOWAS in volume terms. India contributed 33.9% of imports, China 10.1%, and Morocco 7.1%, jointly representing 51.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of molasses to ECOWAS have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 741 thousand US dollars, a 112.9% jump from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 162.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 37.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Indonesia, India, and China remained the principal suppliers of molasses to ECOWAS in value terms. Indonesia accounted for 25.3% of imports, India for 19.9%, and China for 15.6%, together making up 60.9% of total import value.

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

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