Primary sugar crops market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, primary sugar crops production in the MENA region remained stable at around 46 thousand tons, supported by major investments in an agro-industrial complex in Egypt. This project, involving land reclamation and the construction of a sugar beet processing plant, represented a significant expansion of domestic production capacity.

Production fell to 44 386 thousand tons in 2020 as countries in the region began redirecting scarce water resources toward higher-value fruit and vegetable cultivation, reducing acreage for sugar crops. A recovery to 46 748 thousand tons in 2021 was partly driven by Egyptian government investments of USD 2.73 billion aimed at boosting overall agricultural output.

Market volume declined to 44 155 thousand tons in 2022, influenced by increased demand for sugar alternatives and diabetes medications following the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, production dropped further to 43 978 thousand tons due to severe drought that damaged sugarcane crops and constrained global supplies. By 2024, the market continued to be shaped by global factors, including expanded sugar production in major growing regions and a 30% rise in e-commerce within MENA affecting distribution channels.

Production primary sugar crops in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

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

MENA's production of primary sugar crops has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 44 386 thousand tonnes, a modest decrease of 3.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%.

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

Exports primary sugar crops from MENA

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a dramatic 315-fold difference between these years. In 2020, MENA exported 432 tonnes of primary sugar crops, a sharp increase of 131.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 36.1%, while the biggest jump was in 2018, with a staggering 21 252.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia (1.2% of exports in kind), Cameroon (0.6%), and the United Kingdom (0.5%) remained the top buyers of primary sugar crops from MENA, collectively accounting for 2.3% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

MENA's exports of primary sugar crops in value terms have dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 134 thousand US dollars, a steep decline of 40.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports plummeted by 90.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -54.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. The United Kingdom (1.1% of exports in value terms), Cameroon (1.0%), and Pakistan (0.7%) together made up just 2.8% of total flows, while a long tail of smaller markets constituted the remaining 97.2%.

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

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

Imports primary sugar crops to MENA

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior was volatile during these years. Imports reached their lowest level in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.7-fold gap between these two years. In 2020, MENA's imports of primary sugar crops from abroad totaled 2 722 tonnes, down 31.0% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 055 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 3 946 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 39.8%, and the biggest increase was in 2019, with a 274.0% surge.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, imports in kind were spread across a wide range of partner countries. Pakistan (2.7% of imports in kind), South Africa (2.1%), and India (2.0%) together accounted for only 6.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, MENA's imports of primary sugar crops totaled 2 497 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 32.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 30.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 679 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred that same year, at 18.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the supplier portfolio for primary sugar crops to MENA was broad. Pakistan (11.3% of imports in value terms), South Africa (6.1%), and India (5.9%) together contributed only 23.3% of total imports in value terms, with many other countries holding smaller but notable shares.

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

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