Molasses market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

The Turkish molasses market expanded from 1.18 million tons in 2018 to 1.40 million tons in 2020. This growth was primarily fueled by increasing consumer preference for healthy and natural products, with molasses gaining popularity as an additive in animal feed and organic fertilizer production. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated demand for such products, despite some supply chain disruptions.

The market contracted sharply to 0.97 million tons in 2021 after the state-owned Türkşeker adjusted its molasses sales prices and production policies. Recovery began in 2022, with the market reaching 1.11 million tons, supported by continued demand for organic and sulfur-free molasses, the rise of digital marketing and e-commerce sales channels, and regulatory measures promoting molasses use in livestock feed and organic fertilizers. By 2023, the market volume stabilized at 1.14 million tons.

Throughout the period, Türkşeker remained the dominant player, with no new major producers entering the market or significant changes in production facility capacity. Consumer trends consistently favored organic and natural molasses variants.

Production molasses Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey ranked as the 13th largest producer of molasses globally.

Top producers of molasses, 2017-2020

World map of production of molasses, 2017-2020

Turkey's molasses production grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 950.0 K t of molasses, marking a gradual increase of 6.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 800.0 K t, accompanied by the largest decline of 6.8% that year. Conversely, the most significant increase occurred in 2019, with production jumping by 11.3%.

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

Exports molasses to Turkey

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes from Turkey fluctuated significantly, with a threefold difference between the low of 2020 and the high of 2019. In 2020, molasses exports from Turkey amounted to 0.3 K t, representing a sharp decline of 66.2% compared to the previous year. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.8 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 84.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Cyprus, Iraq, and Yemen were the main destinations for Turkey's molasses exports in kind. Cyprus accounted for 39.9% of exports, Iraq for 25.3%, and Yemen for 13.6%. Together, these three countries absorbed 78.9% of Turkey's total molasses exports in kind during this period.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited signs of volatility over the observed period. The highest export value was recorded in 2018, while the lowest occurred in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 10.5 times. In 2020, Turkey's molasses exports amounted to 200 K $ US, reflecting a decrease of 26.5% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was reached in 2018 at 367 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 946.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Yemen, Libya, and Egypt remained the primary buyers of molasses from Turkey in value terms. Yemen accounted for 34.0% of exports, Libya for 20.6%, and Egypt for 12.7%. Collectively, these three countries formed 67.3% of Turkey's total molasses exports in value during this timeframe.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports molasses in Turkey

Imports in kind, K t

Turkey's molasses imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 449.8 K t, showing a strong year-over-year rise of 16.1%. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 17.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 377.8 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical pattern of Turkey's molasses imports in kind was characterized by a strong dominance of Russia, which held an 82.9% share of total flows. Other trading partners accounted for relatively minor shares during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Turkey's molasses imports in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Turkey imported 72 330 K $ US worth of molasses, reflecting a gain of 33.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 73.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 39 554 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 4.9%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with imports growing by 36.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the primary source for Turkey's molasses imports in value terms, accounting for 77.6% of total flows. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a long tail of minor partners.

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

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