Molasses market in Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The molasses market in Eswatini experienced steady growth from 2018 to 2021, with volume increasing from 242.9 thousand tons to 285.0 thousand tons. This expansion was underpinned by the coordinated industry management of the Eswatini Sugar Association, which regulated marketing and supported sugarcane growers. A key driver was the ongoing expansion of land under cane cultivation by the major producer Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation, which reported higher cane crushing volumes. Despite the labor and transport disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, stable demand for molasses in animal feed and ethanol production, supported by established infrastructure, allowed the market to continue its upward trajectory.

Market volume contracted sharply in 2022, falling to 223.6 thousand tons. The following year saw a modest recovery to 226.5 thousand tons, aided by RES Corporation's report of a 5% increase in cane crushed despite adverse weather conditions. Throughout the period, the industry focused on mitigating challenges such as high electricity costs and drought vulnerability through investments in renewable energy and water management.

Production molasses in Eswatini

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Eswatini ranked as the 30th largest producer of molasses globally.

Top producers of molasses, 2017-2020

World map of production of molasses, 2017-2020

Eswatini's molasses production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 280.0 thousand tonnes of molasses, maintaining the same level as the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 19.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.0%.

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

Exports molasses from Eswatini

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 938 tonnes, marking a sharp decline of 72.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decrease occurred in 2018, with a drop of 82.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 233.4%. Overall, exports varied by 6.3 times between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Eswatini's molasses exports were heavily reliant on South Africa, which accounted for 100.0% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited high volatility over these years. In 2020, Eswatini's molasses exports were valued at 64 thousand US dollars, representing a dramatic contraction of 78.8% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 34 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 92.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 792.3%. The value fluctuated by 12.7 times between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, South Africa was the dominant destination for Eswatini's molasses exports in value terms, holding a share of 99.9%.

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

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

Imports molasses to Eswatini

Imports in kind, t

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. In 2020, Eswatini imported 6 tonnes of molasses, showing a sharp increase of 49.4% compared to the previous year. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 4 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 99.9%. Import volumes varied by 4 802 times between the high in 2017 and the low in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa and Mozambique were the primary suppliers of molasses to Eswatini, together accounting for 100.0% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Eswatini's molasses imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 11 thousand US dollars, indicating a steep drop of 56.2% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 99.3%, which equates to an average annual decline of 81.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Mozambique remained the key partners for Eswatini's molasses imports in value terms, with a combined share of 98.8% of total flows; other partners accounted for the remainder.

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

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