Primary sugar crops market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

Production of primary sugar crops in Chile peaked at 2.4 million tonnes in 2018 before entering a sustained decline. That year, persistent rains in key growing regions from San Fernando to Los Ángeles delayed planting and caused crop damage, limiting beet yields and signaling the vulnerability of domestic sugar beet cultivation to climatic stress.

From 2019 onward, a combination of continued adverse weather, including prolonged drought, and a structural reduction in planted area drove output down. The sown area for annual crops, including sugar beet, fell by 10.9% year-on-year in the 2021-2022 season, directly curbing national production. Concurrently, macroeconomic pressures such as global inflation, rising costs for imported fertilizers and labor, and supply chain disruptions significantly increased production costs and reduced profitability for growers.

The downward trend continued through 2022 and 2023, exacerbated by global shocks including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. These events further disrupted logistics and inflated input prices. In response to market volatility and climate challenges, agricultural strategies shifted toward crop diversification, which contributed to the ongoing transition away from sugar beet cultivation.

Production primary sugar crops in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2018-2021

World map of production of primary sugar crops, 2018-2021

Chile's primary sugar crops production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 746 thousand tonnes, which represents a 40.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 68.6%, with an average annual decline rate of 32.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports primary sugar crops from Chile

Exports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Chile's primary sugar crops exports amounted to 633 kg, marking a 13.5% decrease from 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 732 kg, which also saw the largest increase of 151.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021, kg

From 2018 to 2021, the geographical pattern of exports in kind showed a strong dependence on Germany, which accounted for 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this period. Export values were at their lowest in 2018 and reached a high in 2019, varying by 2.4 times. In 2020, the value of exported primary sugar crops from Chile was 1 107 US dollars, a decline of 9.0% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 216 US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 138.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021, $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the market structure was highly concentrated, with Germany alone responsible for 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021

Imports primary sugar crops to Chile

Imports in kind, kg

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import volumes were at their lowest in 2019 and peaked in 2021, with a 45-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Chile imported a total of primary sugar crops, showing a 414.8% increase compared to 2020. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 49 kg, which saw the largest decline of 73.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, at 774.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports in kind of primary sugar crops to Chile were almost completely tied to Peru, which accounted for 90.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import values were at their lowest in 2019 and reached a high in 2021, varying by 5.1 times. In 2021, Chile's primary sugar crops imports amounted to 27 408 US dollars, representing a 194.9% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 349 US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 25.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021, $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the partner structure of imports in value terms relied mainly on Peru and Germany, which together accounted for 99.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021