Molasses market in Mauritius

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, molasses market volume in Mauritius increased from 107 thousand tons to 120 thousand tons. This growth was supported by the entry into operation of new sugar mills, including Altéo, Omnicane, Terra, and Médine, which processed an expected cane production of about 3.6 million tons. Concurrently, industry measures focused on valorizing by-products like molasses and bagasse to improve planters' revenues, contributing to higher output. However, concerns about the erosion of harvested sugarcane area and land abandonment were already noted, signaling underlying pressures.

Market volume fell sharply to 87 thousand tons in 2020. A partial recovery to 90 thousand tons followed in 2021, amid a lower average sugar extraction rate of 9.17% and reported opacity in molasses commercialization controlled by the industry's arbitration department. By 2022, volume declined further to 75 thousand tons, even as global sugar prices rose and diversification into by-products was emphasized. In 2023, production rebounded to 88 thousand tons, driven by improved harvest productivity at 75 tons per hectare, an estimated 11% extraction rate from modernized harvesters, and advancing free-trade negotiations with China that opened prospects for special sugars and derivatives.

Production molasses in Mauritius

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of molasses, 2017-2020

World map of production of molasses, 2017-2020

In 2020, Mauritius produced 86.9 K t of molasses, which represents a 27.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 28.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.8%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, at 11.9%.

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

Exports molasses from Mauritius

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Mauritius exported 0.1 t of molasses, showing little change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, exports declined by 99.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -82.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, 99.5% of Mauritius's total molasses exports in volume were directed to Seychelles, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

In 2019, Mauritius exported $56 US worth of molasses, remaining virtually unchanged from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2019, exports decreased by 96.5%, equating to an annualized rate of -67.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, 96.6% of Mauritius's total molasses exports in value terms went to Seychelles, solidifying its position as the overwhelmingly dominant market.

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

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

Imports molasses to Mauritius

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 2 985-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Mauritius imported 0.2 t of molasses, marking an 89.7% decrease compared to 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 t. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018, at 100.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 2 355.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya effectively monopolized Mauritius's molasses imports in volume, accounting for 99.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years, with a 31-fold variation between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2020. In 2020, Mauritius imported $[value_last_year] US worth of molasses, representing a 77.8% reduction from the previous year. The largest annual decline was in 2018, at 95.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 246.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Kenya concentrated most of Mauritius's molasses imports in value terms, taking 79.6% of total flows, with a fragmented tail of other markets.

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

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