Primary sugar crops market in Thailand

Earlier Report Observations

Thailand's primary sugar crops production started the period at a high level of 135.1 million tonnes in 2018, supported by the introduction of a new sugarcane and sugar industry law aimed at reducing quotas and floating domestic sugar prices according to the world market, alongside state-led expansion of cooperative processing capacity. The opening of a new sugar mill in Amnat Charoen in 2019 added further regional capacity. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 severely reduced global sugar demand, prompting the national sugarcane and sugar committee to adjust domestic prices downward, which coincided with a sharp contraction in production to 75 million tonnes. The downturn continued into 2021, albeit at a slower pace, while authorities moved to lower import duties on sugarcane processing equipment to reduce factory costs.

A strong recovery began in 2022, with output rebounding to 92.2 million tonnes and reaching 94 million tonnes in 2023. This resurgence was facilitated by a major regulatory shift in 2023: the abolition of the sugar quota system, which allowed producers to expand their operations without seeking additional permits. Concurrently, the Ministry of Industry launched the Sugar-Trace project, mandating QR codes on packaging to enhance supply chain transparency.

Production primary sugar crops in Thailand

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand ranked as the world's fourth-largest producer of primary sugar crops.

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

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

Thailand's production of primary sugar crops declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 75.0 million tonnes, marking a 42.8% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 19.5%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 7.0%. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 135.1 million tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 45.1% also occurring that year.

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

Exports primary sugar crops from Thailand

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.1 tonnes and peaked in 2018 at 35 673 tonnes, representing a 59 455-fold difference. In 2020, Thailand's cross-border shipments of primary sugar crops totaled 3 860 tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 6 432 913.9% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 100.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Laos was overwhelmingly the main destination for Thailand's exports of primary sugar crops in kind, accounting for 98.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 0.2 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2017, with a 6 424-fold swing between these years. In 2020, Thailand exported 113 thousand US dollars worth of primary sugar crops, reflecting a sharp gain of 58 244.5% from a year earlier. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 100.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Laos accounted for 72.1% of Thailand's total exports of primary sugar crops in value terms, with the remainder distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports primary sugar crops to Thailand

Imports in kind, t

Noticeable fluctuations characterized market performance during this period. Import volumes sank to their lowest in 2019 at 0.0 tonnes and peaked in 2017, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 955 818 times. In 2020, Thailand imported approximately 0.0 tonnes of primary sugar crops, indicating a gain of 300.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 100.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in kind showed a strong dependence on Myanmar, which absorbed 99.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 0.1 thousand US dollars, while the highest occurred in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1 321 times. In 2020, Thailand imported approximately 0.2 thousand US dollars worth of primary sugar crops, constituting an abrupt gain of 200.4% over the past year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 99.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Myanmar was the key and nearly sole market for Thailand's imports of primary sugar crops in value terms, accounting for 99.6% of total flows.

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

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