Primary sugar crops market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the production of primary sugar crops in Eastern Africa rose from 38 068 thousand tonnes to 39 137 thousand tonnes. The initial increase was supported by the lifting of a ban on harvesting immature cane in late 2017, which extended the milling window and improved yields. Additionally, the introduction of high-yield Chinese seed varieties promised greater crop resilience. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused logistics disruptions and delayed cane deliveries, leading to a stabilization of output near the previous year’s level.

Production continued to grow, reaching 41 614 thousand tonnes in 2022. This expansion was aided by the government’s decision to lift a five-month ban on immature cane harvest, allowing mills to operate over a longer season and process more cane. However, in 2023 production fell by 9.2% to 37 795 thousand tonnes, a decline that coincided with the resumption of operations at all Kenyan sugar factories toward the end of that year.

Production primary sugar crops in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

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

Eastern Africa's primary sugar crops production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production remained virtually unchanged at 39 137 thousand tonnes compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 5.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.7%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 39 303 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 3.2% occurring that same year.

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

Exports primary sugar crops from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Eastern Africa's exports of primary sugar crops increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 1 990 tonnes, marking a significant 94.0% gain compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 44 361.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 663.2%.

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

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their highest point in 2020 and their lowest in 2018, with a 72-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported primary sugar crops worth 2 268 thousand US dollars, up 126.5% from the year before. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 31 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 16.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 3 085.3%.

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

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

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

Imports primary sugar crops to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Imports peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2017, with a 38-fold amplitude between these extremes. In 2020, Eastern Africa imported approximately 5 tonnes of primary sugar crops, showing a limited gain of 10.0% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 21 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 76.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 3 651.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Eastern Africa's imports of primary sugar crops in kind were South Africa (accounting for 3.2% of imports), the United Arab Emirates (2.2%), and Malaysia (1.3%). Together, these three countries represented 6.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their highest value in 2018 and their lowest in 2019, with a 9.3-fold gap between these years. In 2020, the volume of primary sugar crops imports into Eastern Africa amounted to 6 thousand US dollars, reflecting an uptick of 8.4% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 6 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 53 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 89.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 338.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary markets for Eastern Africa's imports of primary sugar crops in value terms were South Africa (representing 55.3% of imports), Malaysia (2.4%), and the United Arab Emirates (1.7%). Collectively, these three countries accounted for 59.4% of total import flows.

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

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