Primary sugar crops market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

Primary sugar crops production in the SADC region reached 55 220 thousand tonnes in 2019, its highest point in the period, before beginning a multi-year decline. This downturn was accelerated in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted global demand and altered consumer purchasing behavior for sugary foods. A concurrent, long-term shift in consumer preferences towards healthier diets also reduced domestic sugar consumption in key markets like South Africa, placing sustained pressure on the industry.

The sector faced persistent structural challenges including high input costs, recurring droughts, and infrastructure limitations, which particularly constrained small-scale growers. In strategic response, the South African sugar industry published its Sugarcane Value Chain Master Plan to 2030, aiming to improve profitability through crop and value chain diversification. A rebound in global sugar prices during 2022 provided some market support, leading to a modest production recovery to 52 155 thousand tonnes, though this was tempered by sharply rising costs for fuel and fertilizers. Production in 2023 settled at 51 318 thousand tonnes as the market adjusted to these volatile cost and price dynamics.

Production primary sugar crops in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

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

Primary sugar crops production in SADC experienced a decline after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 55 220 K t, but then fell by 4.7% to 52 651 K t in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production grew by 3%, representing a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 4.4%.

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

Exports primary sugar crops from SADC

Exports in kind, t

The export market for primary sugar crops from SADC demonstrated considerable volatility during the observed period. In 2017, exports hit their lowest point, while 2019 saw the peak at 127.1 t, representing a staggering 5 410-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, export volumes declined to 87.6 t, marking a 31.1% decrease compared to the previous year. The most dramatic increase occurred in 2018, with exports surging by 72 972.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malta consistently served as the primary export partner for SADC's primary sugar crops in kind, accounting for 3.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms exhibited notable volatility throughout the period. In 2018, export values reached their minimum at 16.4 K $ US, while 2019 saw the maximum at 115.6 K $ US, representing a 7-fold difference. In 2020, export values totaled 111.8 K $ US, showing a moderate year-over-year decline of 3.3%. The most significant decrease occurred in 2018, falling by 27.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, surging by 604.9%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Pakistan, Côte d'Ivoire, and the Netherlands emerged as the main markets for SADC's primary sugar crops exports in value terms. Pakistan accounted for 14.4% of export value, Côte d'Ivoire for 4.7%, and the Netherlands for 1.4%. Together, these three markets represented 20.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports primary sugar crops to SADC

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes in kind showed significant volatility during these years. In 2017, imports reached their minimum, while 2018 saw the maximum at 289.3 t, representing a 117-fold difference. In 2020, import volumes declined to 49.9 t, marking a 35.7% decrease compared to 2019. The most dramatic increase occurred in 2018, with imports surging by 11 632.7%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 73.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Belgium, and Portugal formed the key group of import partners for SADC's primary sugar crops in kind. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 3.4% of import volumes, Belgium for 2.9%, and Portugal for 1.6%. Together, these three partners represented 8.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market in value terms displayed considerable volatility over the observed period. In 2020, import values reached their minimum at 30.2 K $ US, while 2018 saw the maximum at 136.0 K $ US, representing a 4.5-fold difference. In 2020, import values showed a dramatic year-over-year decline of 54.2% compared to 2019. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, with import values surging by 197.4%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the geographical structure of imports in value terms was highly diversified. Belgium accounted for 7.9% of import value, the United Arab Emirates for 1.6%, and France for 1.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 10.6% of total import flows, with the remaining 89.4% distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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