Market research

Primary sugar crops market in Asia

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Asia" region includes following countries:

China

Hong Kong

Japan

North Korea

South Korea

Macao

Mongolia

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Bhutan

Sri Lanka

India

Iran

Maldives

Nepal

Pakistan

Brunei Darussalam

Myanmar

Cambodia

Indonesia

Laos

Malaysia

the Philippines

Timor-Leste

Singapore

Vietnam

Thailand

Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Uzbekistan

Azerbaijan

Armenia

Bahrain

Cyprus

Georgia

Palestine

Iraq

Israel

Jordan

Kuwait

Lebanon

Oman

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Syria

Turkey

the United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

Primary sugar crops production in Asia rose from 836 million tons in 2018 to 851 million tons in 2019, aided by government policies in key producing nations. India's promotion of ethanol blending and sugarcane cultivation improved industry sustainability, while Thailand began reforming its sugar sector to liberalize the market under WTO commitments. This upward trend was interrupted in 2020 when output fell to 778 million tons.

A recovery began in 2021, with production reaching 804 million tons, then accelerating to 859 million tons in 2022 and 917 million tons in 2023. This growth was primarily driven by India's sugar industry, which became more self-sustaining through increased revenue from ethanol production. Major investments, such as the new ethanol plant by Vishwaraj Sugar Industries in Karnataka, expanded processing capacity. Concurrently, a resurgence in demand for sugar-containing products further supported the market expansion.

Regulatory developments continued to shape the sector. India increased the Fair and Remunerative Price for sugarcane and proposed the Sugar (Control) Order, 2024 to allow domestic sales of raw sugar. Thailand resolved its WTO dispute and advanced market liberalization, while the Philippines moved to limit refined sugar imports to protect domestic output, reflecting a broader policy focus on supporting local production.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2020-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2020-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2020-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Asia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2018-2023, M t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, M t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, M t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2020-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China by countries, 2020-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2020-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2020-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China by countries, 2020-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2020-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2020-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2020-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2020-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China by countries, 2020-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2020-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2020-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China by countries, 2020-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2020-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2020-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2020-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2020-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China by countries, 2020-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2020-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2020-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China by countries, 2020-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2020-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2020-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China by countries, 2020-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2020-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China by countries, 2020-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2020-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2020-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China by countries, 2020-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2020-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2020-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China by countries, 2020-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2020-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production primary sugar crops in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Asia's production of primary sugar crops declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 777.7 million tonnes, representing an 8.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 851.3 million tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, M t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	13.3%	1.8%	(8.7%)	1.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports primary sugar crops from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 12.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Asia exported 26.1 thousand tonnes of primary sugar crops, marking a dramatic year-over-year increase of 1,074.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 25.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	47.2%	(25.3%)	1 074.4%	134.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Russia played a central role in exports in kind, accounting for 0.9% of total trade flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout this period. Exports reached their highest value in 2018 and their lowest in 2019, showing a 3.2-fold amplitude between these years. In 2020, Asia's primary sugar crops exports stood at 14.7 million US dollars, representing a 138.6% increase over the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 6.2 million US dollars, while the maximum value occurred in 2018 at 19.6 million US dollars. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 68.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	32.5%	(68.5%)	138.6%	(0.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, the three largest markets—the United States, Russia, and Canada—remained central to exports in value terms, together accounting for 7.2% of total trade flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports primary sugar crops to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 25-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Asia imported 26.1 thousand tonnes of primary sugar crops, equivalent to a 1,507.4% increase over the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 4.1 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 76.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(76.4%)	57.7%	1 507.4%	81.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt was the main source for primary sugar crops imported by Asia, absorbing 0.7% of total imports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of primary sugar crops to Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 106.3 million US dollars, indicating an 11.3% year-over-year advance. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 47.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	18.9%	11.4%	11.3%	13.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt was the main destination for imports in value terms of primary sugar crops to Asia, accounting for 1.2% of total trade flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io